Texas Flash Flood Nightmare: 27 Girls Missing After Camp Washout, Death Toll Hits 50
Search and rescue teams raced against time on Saturday to locate 27 missing girls from a Christian summer camp in Texas, after torrential rains triggered devastating flash floods that have already claimed the lives of at least 50 people — and more rain was still pounding the region.
In Kerr County, at least 43 people, including 15 children, were confirmed dead. Another 8 fatalities were reported in surrounding counties. Despite the grim outlook, Texas Governor Greg Abbott instructed emergency personnel to continue working as though “every missing person is still alive,” even as Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, admitted that hope was fading with each passing hour.
Dalton Rice, Kerrville's city manager, confirmed that 27 girls from Camp Mystic, located along the Guadalupe River, were still unaccounted for. The river rose a staggering 26 feet (8 meters) in just 45 minutes early Friday, sweeping away homes and vehicles.
Around 750 girls had gathered at the camp for the Independence Day weekend, according to Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha, who called the rains “catastrophic.” Over 850 people have been rescued, with more than 1,700 responders deployed for the massive search-and-rescue mission.
Authorities confirmed that 12 adults and five children among the recovered bodies had yet to be identified.
One of the missing, nine-year-old Renee Smajstrla, was tragically confirmed dead by her uncle, who shared an emotional Facebook post. “She was with her friends and having the time of her life,” he wrote, crediting social media with helping first responders locate her.
Helicopters and drones swept the skies as teams continued to comb the area for survivors. Though the death toll is expected to rise, officials remain hopeful that some may be found clinging to trees or trapped in remote, communication-dead zones. “They could still be alive,” said Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. “We are praying.”
Meanwhile, flash flood warnings remained in effect across Central Texas. The National Weather Service (NWS) declared, “This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!”
These extreme rain events are becoming more frequent due to the climate crisis. Since 1900, Eastern Texas has seen a 20% increase in days with heavy precipitation, with projections suggesting a further 10% jump in extreme rainfall over the next decade.
Social media flooded with desperate posts from families sharing photos of missing loved ones. “The camp was completely destroyed,” said 13-year-old Elinor Lester, one of the campers. She recalled a terrifying escape across a rope-strung bridge in knee-deep currents.
The sudden midnight deluge on Fourth of July caught residents and officials off guard. Forecasts had only predicted 3 to 6 inches of rain, said Kidd. “We never saw this coming.”
Criticism swiftly followed, with many questioning whether budget and job cuts at the National Weather Service under Donald Trump’s administration had weakened forecasting abilities. “They blame the NWS, but the real danger came from years of underfunding,” said Ron Filipkowski of MeidasTouch.
Meteorologist Avery Tomasco defended the NWS, pointing out that a flood watch was issued 12 hours ahead, and a flash flood warning came three hours before the Guadalupe River surged. “They did their job and did it well,” he said.
President Donald Trump addressed the disaster via Truth Social, saying the administration was working closely with state and local officials and that he and Melania were “praying for the families.”
However, a press conference later that day drew fire for focusing more on praise for Trump than on rescue updates. Senator John Cornyn, Secretary Kristi Noem, and Rep. Chip Roy all echoed supportive talking points, only shifting focus after press questioning.
Meteorologist Bob Fogarty said one river gauge near Camp Mystic recorded a 22-foot rise in under two hours before failing at 29.5 feet (9 meters). “By the time you realize how bad it is, it’s already too late,” he warned.
On Kerr County Sheriff’s Facebook page, posts poured in from frantic families. In Ingram, Erin Burgess described a harrowing escape, clinging to a tree with her 19-year-old son after their home was flooded. Her boyfriend and dog were swept away but later found alive. “My son being over 6 feet tall — that saved me,” she said.
Matthew Stone, a Kerrville resident, blasted the lack of alerts, saying: “There was no warning. Just a pitch-black wall of death.”
At a reunification center, emotions ran high as families reunited. Soldiers carried seniors, and children emerged, shaken but safe. One girl, still in her Camp Mystic T-shirt, sobbed in her mother’s arms.
Barry Adelman, 54, said floodwaters pushed his entire family — including a 94-year-old grandmother and 9-year-old grandson — into the attic of their three-story home, where water began seeping through the floor. “I was terrified,” he said. “I had to tell my grandson it was going to be okay, even when I was scared to death.”
Though a flood watch had been issued for more than 30,000 people, many say warning systems failed, especially in Kerr County. Judge Rob Kelly admitted: “We don’t have a warning system.” When pressed, he added: “No one could’ve predicted this magnitude of flooding.”
The Texas Hill Country is often called “flash flood alley,” explained Austin Dickson, head of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, which is collecting donations. “The soil here is too thin. When it rains, the water rushes down the hills like a torrent,” he said.
The Guadalupe River, known for its tranquil blue waters and century-old summer camps, has long been a peaceful attraction — until nature unleashed its fury this week.
Description:
"Torrential rains triggered deadly flash floods across Texas, leaving 50 dead and 27 girls missing from Camp Mystic. Rescue teams race against time as families search for answers amid destroyed homes, chaotic evacuations, and growing outrage over warning system failures."