Texas Floods Kill 52 as Search for Missing Campers Grows Desperate

A disaster of historic proportions has struck central Texas, where flash flooding has killed at least 52 people and left dozens still missing. What began as a routine flood watch early Friday quickly spiraled into what officials are calling a “once-in-a-century flood.”

Torrential rain hammered Kerr County and surrounding areas, causing the Guadalupe River to rise more than 20 feet within a few hours. The surging water tore apart homes, and cars were swept away like toys. Among the dead are 15 children, many of them campers at Camp Mystic, a beloved all-girls Christian summer camp along the river.

For the families of the campers, this disaster has been especially heartbreaking. Four young girls who had been reported missing were confirmed dead after search crews found their bodies. Another 27 girls remain unaccounted for. Rescue teams are working around the clock, deploying boats, helicopters, and ground crews to comb through debris and the swollen riverbanks.

“This is not something we’ve ever seen in our lifetimes,” Texas GOP Congressman Chip Roy said, describing the flooding as unprecedented. “It’s a tragedy that has touched every corner of this community.”

The devastation has prompted an all-out emergency response. Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster across several counties and expanded the declaration as more communities were overwhelmed. President Donald Trump called the floods “terrible” and pledged federal aid to support rescue and relief efforts.

Despite the heartbreak, numerous acts of courage and compassion have been displayed. Over 850 people have been rescued or evacuated in just 36 hours. First responders, volunteers, and neighbors have banded together, refusing to give up hope that more missing people will be found alive.

“We will be relentless in going after and making sure we locate every single person who has been a victim of this flooding event,” Governor Abbott said. “We’re not going to stop today or tomorrow. We’ll stop when the job is completed.”

As the search continues, Texas is bracing for more rain in the coming days, adding urgency to an already perilous situation. For families still waiting for word on loved ones, each hour feels like an eternity. But in the face of unimaginable loss, communities are standing together, determined to save as many lives as they can.