The rain came down so hard and fast overnight in the Texas Hill Country. It caused flash floods that have killed at least 24 people.
A desperate search is on for the missing, and tragically, that includes 23 girls who were at a summer camp. Kerr County got almost a foot of rain in just a few hours, and the Guadalupe River just jumped its banks before anyone could even react.
Emergency Crews Mobilize
Search and rescue teams were deployed across the region early Friday. Nine crews, 14 helicopters, and a dozen drones have been aiding the effort. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said that around 400 responders were on the ground.
“We’ve got people being pulled from trees,” Patrick said, describing the ongoing danger. “This isn’t over.”
Social media has been flooded with pleas from families searching for loved ones, particularly the girls who went missing from Camp Mystic.
The camp hosts around 750 girls each summer. According to officials, 23 remain unaccounted for.
River Rose Over 20 Feet in Hours
A river gauge near Hunt recorded a rise of 22 feet in under two hours, according to Bob Fogarty of the National Weather Service. Hunt is located near where the Guadalupe River forks.
Fogarty said the speed and force of the water left little time for evacuation.
“The water’s moving so fast, you’re not going to recognize how bad it is until it’s on top of you,” he said.
Governor Confirms Fatalities
With 24 deaths confirmed by Governor Abbott, officials are now focused on identifying the victims—though the toll may grow as the search continues.
Camp Mystic and nearby river communities are popular destinations during the summer months. The area between Hunt and Ingram is known for its historic camps and cabin rentals, many of which sit near the riverbanks.
Storms Also Impact New Jersey
At the same time Texas was flooding, severe storms were hitting central New Jersey.
Two men died in Plainfield when a tree fell on their car, and the city got so bad they had to cancel all their Fourth of July plans. And in Texas, the search is still going.
Crews are picking through the wreckage as the families of the missing girls just wait, hoping for news.
For many, the next few days will feel longer than the storm that brought this on.
