At least 27 people, including nine children, have died in catastrophic flash flooding that ravaged central Texas over the weekend, with emergency crews still searching for dozens missing—including young girls from the Camp Mystic summer program.
The disaster unfolded along the Guadalupe River, approximately 85 miles northwest of San Antonio, where torrential rains dumped 15 inches of water—half a year’s average rainfall—in just hours, triggering a 29-foot river surge that caught residents by surprise.
Massive Rescue Operation Currently Underway
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha vowed to continue search efforts “until every single person is found,” as 500 first responders combed through debris in the Texas Hill Country. The floods swept away homes, leaving only concrete foundations, forced over 800 evacuations as waters receded, left 23-25 attendees of Camp Mystic unaccounted for, claimed the life of Jane Ragsdale, co-owner of nearby Heart O’ the Hills camp
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick confirmed 700 girls were present at Camp Mystic during the disaster, while President Trump pledged federal support, praising responders rescuing stranded residents from rooftops and trees.
Why Warnings Failed to Prevent Tragedy
Despite National Weather Service alerts about holiday weekend flood risks, officials admitted the rainfall intensity exceeded forecasts. W. Nim Kidd of Texas Emergency Management noted the Guadalupe River surpassed major flood stage in under two hours, preventing timely evacuations.
This calamity mirrors a 1987 flood in the same region that drowned 10 teens at a church retreat—a grim reminder of the area’s vulnerability to sudden deluges. With a flood watch remaining active, authorities urge caution as recovery efforts expose the full toll of one of Texas’ deadliest weather events in decades.
