Parents are searching for information about their children’s whereabouts as dozens remain missing after a deadly, devastating river flood swept through a local Christian camp. Officials say between 23 and 25 girls from Camp Mystic, an all-girls private Christian camp in Hunt, Texas, remain missing.
State officials confirmed Friday night that at least 25 people are dead, including adults and children. Among the deaths, 24 were reported in Kerr County and one was in Kendall County.
First responders scan the banks of the Guadalupe River for individuals swept away by flooding in Ingram, Texas, Friday, July 4, 2025. (Michel Fortier/The San Antonio Express-News via AP)
Elinor Lester, 13, told the Associated Press she was evacuated with her cabinmates by helicopter after wading through floodwaters. Lester also said that the “camp was completely destroyed” in the disastrous flood. The outlet noted that Lester was housed on higher ground at the camp, known as Senior Hill. Younger campers, who can begin attending at age 8, are housed along the riverbanks and were the first to flood, according to the Associated Press.
The National Guard was deployed in Texas to respond after heavy rain on Friday morning caused the Guadalupe River to rise nearly 30 feet in 45 minutes. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem later said that members of the U.S. Coast Guard were deployed to assist in evacuations.
Helicopters and military vehicles were used for evacuations. As of Friday night, 237 people had been evacuated, including 167 by helicopter.
A drone view shows flooded houses, following torrential rains that unleashed flash floods along the Guadalupe River in San Angelo, Texas, U.S., June 4, 2025, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video. (Patrick Keely via Reuters)
Texas deployed more than 1,000 state responders and over 800 vehicles and equipment assets, according to Gov. Greg Abbott’s office. The governor also declared an emergency for 15 counties, and his office said that more could be added to the list.
“This is a time when we, as a state, need God more than ever,” Abbott said in a statement. “The one thing I hear the most are the prayers that are being sent for those who are in harm’s way.”
Families are reunited at a reunification center after flash flooding hit the area, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Ingram, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday that the floods were “shocking” and “a terrible thing.” He also said the state would receive federal aid and that his administration was working with Abbott.
The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging those with missing loved ones to call the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767 for information.
