At least 32 people, including 14 children, have died following catastrophic flash flooding in Kerr County, Texas, with more than 27 girls still missing from Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp located in Hunt, Texas.
Three young girls from Camp Mystic have been confirmed dead, and families of additional missing children are anxiously awaiting news as search and rescue operations continue.
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch on Thursday afternoon, followed by a flash flood warning at around 1 a.m. CT on Friday. A more urgent flash flood emergency warning was issued at 4:03 a.m. CT, but the speed and intensity of the floodwaters overwhelmed the region before many could evacuate.
Rainfall totals reached up to 0.3 meters (or 12 inches) in just a few hours, with additional rain expected in the coming days.
Camp Mystic, located along the Guadalupe River, was hit by a sudden and severe flash flood that caused the river to rise more than 6 m (or 20 feet) in less than two hours. The camp, which hosts approximately 750 children, was nearly destroyed, with many campers staying in low-lying areas that were quickly overwhelmed by floodwaters.
Other nearby camps were evacuated successfully and all campers accounted for, communication with Camp Mystic was delayed due to lack of power, water, and internet access.
The death toll has risen steadily throughout the day. The Kerr County Sheriff confirmed that five adults and three children remain unidentified, and the numbers are expected to change as identification processes continue. At least 27 girls from Camp Mystic are still unaccounted for, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional missing persons beyond the campers.
Among the confirmed fatalities are three young girls from Camp Mystic, including 8-year-old Renee Smajstrla, whose family confirmed her passing. Other tragic stories include a young boy who survived in part because barbed wire became lodged in his body, preventing him from being swept away.
Families are continuing to search for personal belongings and hoping for miracles as the grim recovery process unfolds.
Authorities, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, have emphasized that the current focus remains on search and rescue operations, despite the likelihood of diminishing survival chances over time.
Ground crews, helicopters, drones, and search dogs are being deployed to locate missing individuals along the Guadalupe River and surrounding areas. Abbott has directed all state agencies to treat every missing person as if they are still alive and to prioritize lifesaving operations.
Officials have warned that the death toll is likely to rise as more bodies are recovered and identified, and the search for missing children continues with urgency and hope.
President Donald Trump has signed a federal disaster declaration for Texas, which Secretary Noem confirmed he will honor, ensuring federal support for relief efforts. She said that upgrades to weather forecasting technology neglected by past administrations, are ongoing.
