At least 24 people have died and up to 25 others from a girls' summer camp remain missing after flash floods swept through Texas on Friday.
The deadly floods struck the Guadalupe River region on Independence Day, causing water levels to surge dramatically. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said the river rose 26 feet within just 45 minutes, describing it as "a destructive flood, taking property and sadly lives."
An extensive overnight search-and-rescue operation was under way, although Texas officials could not yet confirm the exact number of missing individuals.
Lieutenant Governor Patrick sought to reassure parents, stating that if they had not received a call, their child was safe and accounted for.
"That does not mean [the missing children] have been lost. They could be out of communication," he explained, adding that while public offers of personal helicopters and drones were appreciated, rescue teams had sufficient equipment and personnel already.
Currently, rescue agencies have deployed 14 helicopters, 12 drones, nine rescue teams, and numerous swimmers, with between 400-500 rescuers actively involved on the ground.
Later on Friday, Texas Major General Thomas Suelzer said that five helicopters paired with rescue swimmers and high-profile tactical military vehicles were assisting evacuations. He confirmed that 237 people had already been rescued from floodwaters.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wardens reached Camp Mystic, the girls' summer camp where over 20 children were reported missing after floodwaters engulfed the area. Communication difficulties due to telecommunication outages have hampered efforts to establish the safety of those in the region.
The flooding prompted disaster declarations for the Hill Country and Concho Valley areas early Friday morning. Kerr County Sheriff's Office reported severe flooding and multiple missing persons, confirming fatalities in the area.
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly faced scrutiny at a news conference over why camps along the Guadalupe River were not evacuated ahead of the floods.
"We didn't know this flood was coming. Rest assured, no one knew this kind of flood was coming," Kelly said. He added: "We do not have a warning system" in the region, which has a history of flooding.
Judge Kelly said the devastation "far surpassed" the infamous 1987 flood, which killed 10 teenagers travelling in a church camp bus near Comfort, south of Kerr County.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott confirmed that federal assistance has been pledged to support recovery and rescue efforts.
Further flooding remains a risk, with warnings still in place. Officials reported that the region received several months' worth of rain in just a few hours.
Images from the area show submerged bridges and roads engulfed by rapidly moving floodwaters.
"Folks, please don't take chances. Stay alert, follow local emergency warnings, and do not drive through flooded roads," urged Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller.
The Kerr County Sheriff's Office issued urgent instructions for residents living near creeks, streams, and the Guadalupe River to seek higher ground immediately.
Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring highlighted the absence of any early warning system, telling The Kerrville Daily Times there was "no indication" the floods would be so catastrophic.
