At least 13 people have died following sudden flash floods in south-central Texas early on Friday, officials confirmed, with more than 20 girls still missing from a summer camp.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said at a press briefing that the death toll currently stands at 13 but cautioned that the number may rise as rescue efforts continue. Some of the victims were children, according to Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.
Around 23 girls remain unaccounted for at Camp Mystic, located along the Guadalupe River, which surged 26 feet (eight metres) in just 45 minutes overnight, Patrick added.
However, he noted that the missing campers might still be alive, possibly trapped in trees or out of communication.
The camp director reported that the facility, hosting roughly 750 campers over the July 4 holiday weekend, experienced catastrophic flooding, leaving it without power, water, or internet.
Authorities have advised against travelling to the affected areas, which include multiple campsites along the river, as dozens of roads have become impassable.
Footage shared on social media revealed homes and trees being swept away by the powerful overnight floods, triggered by heavy rainfall amounting to 12 inches, equivalent to a third of Kerr County’s average annual precipitation.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott posted a video showing a rescuer retrieving a victim from a tree using a helicopter, as floodwaters surged below.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with around 500 personnel and 14 helicopters involved, supported by the Texas National Guard and the US Coast Guard. Officials warned of another wave of rain expected to hit the San Antonio and Austin areas.
“This is a mass casualty event,” said Freeman Martin, head of the state’s public safety department.
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly described the Guadalupe River valley as “the most dangerous river valley in the United States” and admitted the severity of this flood was unexpected.
Residents near the river have been urged to move to higher ground amid official flood warnings.
This tragic event follows another deadly flash flood in mid-June that killed at least 10 people in San Antonio after heavy rains.
