Devastating flash floods swept through south-central Texas overnight, leaving at least 24 people dead and dozens missing, including at least 23 girls from Camp Mystic, a historic all-girls Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas. The region, known as Hill Country, was inundated after nearly a foot of rain fell before dawn on Friday, causing the Guadalupe River to rise rapidly and overflow its banks.
Camp Mystic: A Community in Crisis
Camp Mystic, which has welcomed girls from across Texas since 1926, was hosting about 750 campers when the floods hit. The camp, situated in a notoriously flood-prone area known as “flash flood alley,” was caught off guard by the scale of the disaster. According to campers and staff, the storm struck in the early hours, with some girls awakened by raging winds and rising waters around 1:30 a.m.
Elinor Lester, 13, described the chaos as cabins were destroyed and campers were forced to seek safety on higher ground or be evacuated by helicopter. “The camp was completely destroyed,” she said, recounting how rescuers tied ropes for the girls to hold as they crossed bridges with floodwaters swirling around their legs.
Desperate Search and Rescue Efforts
As of Friday evening, state officials reported that 23 to 25 girls from Camp Mystic remained unaccounted for, though the total number of missing across the region is still unclear. Search and rescue operations have been intense, involving helicopters, boats, and hundreds of emergency workers navigating dangerous currents and debris. The Texas Game Wardens reached the camp by truck and began evacuating those stranded, but communication has been hampered by a lack of power, water, and Wi-Fi, and the destruction of a nearby highway.
Families, desperate for news, have flooded social media with photos and pleas for information about their missing daughters. Many received heartbreaking calls from officials confirming that their children had not yet been found among the debris of washed-away cabins and fallen trees.
Community Response and Unfolding Tragedy
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick urged the public to pray for the missing girls, calling for “on-your-knees kind of praying” as search teams continued their efforts. Nine rescue teams, 14 helicopters, and 12 drones have been deployed in the search.
Camp Mystic assured parents that if they had not been contacted directly, their child was accounted for. Meanwhile, two other camps in the area, Camp Waldemar and Camp La Junta, reported all campers and staff were safe.
A Region Reeling
The Hill Country’s unique geography makes it especially vulnerable to flash flooding, with water rushing down hills and overwhelming the landscape. The disaster struck with little warning, catching residents and officials by surprise despite the area’s history of frequent floods. As the search continues, the community remains united in hope and prayer for the safe return of the missing girls.
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