At least 27 lives have been lost, including nine children, after powerful flash floods tore through parts of Kerr County, Texas. Among the most affected is a Christian summer camp for girls on the banks of the Guadalupe River, where 27 campers are still missing.
Rescue teams continue the urgent search for survivors, while families cling to hope, turning to social media in desperation to find their loved ones. The camp, which has operated for nearly a century, had over 700 children attending when the floods struck. Roads leading to the camp have been severely damaged, slowing efforts to bring aid and carry out evacuations.
The camp has struggled to communicate with parents due to widespread power outages, lack of internet access, and damaged infrastructure. Parents have been posting photos and phone numbers online, begging for information as they await updates.
Emergency shelters have been opened across Kerrville to support displaced families. Volunteers and grief counselors are offering help where they can, and hotlines have been made available to relatives seeking information about those still unaccounted for.
Officials have confirmed that of the 27 confirmed deaths, 18 were adults and nine were children. Some of the victims have not yet been identified. Over 850 people have been evacuated so far, including a small number who were injured.
Efforts to reach isolated camps continue, as washed-out roads and rough terrain make access challenging. Authorities are delivering food, water, and other essentials to those who remain cut off.
Weather experts had predicted an extreme weather event, but the volume of rainfall far exceeded expectations—nearly double the forecast. Slow-moving thunderstorms dumped several inches of rain per hour, creating flash flood conditions that left entire areas submerged and roadways destroyed.
Local officials urge residents to remain alert, avoid dangerous areas, and refrain from launching their own search missions. The risk of further rainfall lingers, and new flash flood warnings have already been issued in nearby regions.
Community leaders, visibly emotional during press briefings, have expressed their grief and gratitude—thanking emergency crews, first responders, and volunteers for their round-the-clock dedication. Leaders say their primary focus remains finding every missing person and supporting grieving families.
The outpouring of support continues, with residents coming together to offer prayers, supplies, and shelter. One official summed up the mood, saying, “We will not stop until every single person is found.”