Texas Floods Leave 78 Dead as Search Continues at Camp Mystic

At least 78 people have died and 41 remain missing after sudden flash floods swept through central Texas early Friday morning. The disaster unfolded with little warning as the Guadalupe River surged more than 26 feet in under an hour, catching many people in their sleep.

Kerr County was hit the hardest. Sixty-eight of the confirmed deaths happened there, including 28 children who had been attending Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ summer camp by the river. Rescue teams have been searching through thick mud and wreckage for any signs of life.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott visited the area and described the scene as “nothing short of horrific.” He promised that every effort would be made to locate those still missing. “It was devastating to see what those young children went through,” Abbott said.

For many, the loss feels deeply personal. Camp Mystic has been a summer tradition for generations of Texas families. Among the dead is the camp’s longtime director, Richard “Dick” Eastland, whose leadership shaped the camp’s community for decades.

Greg Froelick, a former United States Navy Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL member who volunteers with the rescue group 300 Justice, shared that belongings from the camp have been found up to eight miles downstream. “Clothing and items from dressers are everywhere,” he told the BBC.

As the floodwaters receded, the extent of the destruction became clear. Homes along the Guadalupe River were ripped apart, trees were uprooted, and cars were tossed aside. A two-lane highway that connects Kerrville to Camp Mystic was left littered with debris and downed power lines.

In response, President Donald Trump signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County, enabling the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist local authorities with recovery efforts. He also expressed condolences and said he would likely visit Texas soon.

Despite the heartbreak, neighbors and volunteers are stepping up. Alma Garcia drove from San Antonio to deliver warm meals and even gave her shirt to a woman who was drenched and shivering. Another resident, Perla, began collecting clothes and shoes right after finishing her shift at Walmart.

Around the world, sympathy and prayers have poured in. From Rome, Pope Leo XIV offered special prayers for the victims and their families, honoring the lives cut short by the flooding.

Officials warn the death toll will likely rise as crews continue to search the devastated region in the days ahead.