Texas Flood Disaster: Death Toll Rises to 24 as Search Continues for Missing Campers

HOUSTON – 5 July 2025 (BSS/AFP): At least 24 people have been confirmed dead and over 20 girls remain missing following a catastrophic flash flood that swept through south-central Texas, prompting an urgent and large-scale rescue effort.

The sudden deluge, triggered by torrential overnight rain, struck Kerr County — northwest of San Antonio — early on Friday, rapidly raising water levels and inundating homes, roads, and a riverside summer camp.

‘Catastrophic’ Conditions and Camp Tragedy

The Guadalupe River rose a staggering 26 feet (eight metres) in just 45 minutes, overwhelming the area surrounding Camp Mystic — a popular girls’ summer camp hosting around 750 children.

Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick confirmed that several children were among the dead and warned that “about 23” girls from the camp were still unaccounted for. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha later stated that the overall number of missing was believed to be between 23 and 25.

“That doesn’t mean they’ve been lost forever,” Patrick added. “They could be sheltering in trees or simply unable to communicate.”

Rescue Operation in Full Force

A major rescue operation involving over 500 personnel and 14 helicopters is underway. At least 237 people have been rescued or evacuated so far, with 167 airlifted by helicopter, according to Major General Thomas Suelzer of the Texas military.

Freeman Martin, director of Texas’s Department of Public Safety, described the incident as a “mass casualty event” and noted that poor weather early in the day had hampered access to the area.

Efforts have since ramped up. “As the day progressed, conditions improved, allowing more rescues and recoveries. That work will continue into tomorrow,” Martin said.

Footage shared by Governor Greg Abbott on social media showed a dramatic helicopter rescue, with a survivor plucked from a tree above raging waters. “We will not stop until everyone is accounted for,” Abbott declared.

Trucks were also seen arriving at Camp Mystic to evacuate stranded individuals, while the US Coast Guard and the Texas National Guard have joined the operation.

‘Disaster Declaration’ and Federal Response

Governor Abbott signed a disaster declaration to release additional state resources for affected counties. President Donald Trump described the flooding as “terrible” and “shocking,” and confirmed that federal assistance would be provided. “We’ll take care of it. We’re working with the governor,” he told reporters.

Warnings, Uncertainty, and Climate Context

Officials in Kerr County said they had no advance warning of the incoming flood. “We didn’t know this flood was coming,” said Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly. “We have floods all the time, but this is the most dangerous river valley in the United States.”

A flood warning has since been issued for the region, urging residents near the river to seek higher ground. Authorities also warned that a “second wave” of heavy rainfall could impact nearby counties.

Videos on social media showed houses, trees, and vehicles swept away by the violent torrents, with up to 12 inches of rain falling overnight — nearly a third of the county’s average annual rainfall.

Scientists have long warned that climate change is intensifying extreme weather events. Flash floods, which occur when rain overwhelms the soil’s ability to absorb water, are becoming increasingly frequent and severe across the globe.

Last month, ten people died in flash floods in San Antonio. And in a separate incident on Friday, two people in New Jersey were killed when a tree fell on their vehicle during a violent storm.