Tragic Texas floods claim 13 lives as girls remain missing from Christian camp

Devastating floods in Texas have turned a peaceful summer camp into a scene of unimaginable tragedy, with at least 13 lives lost and nearly two dozen young girls unaccounted for at Camp Mystic in Kerr County, the New York Post reported on Saturday. 

In a heartbreaking turn of events, catastrophic flooding along the Guadalupe River in Hunt, a suburb of San Antonio, has claimed lives and left around 23 of the 750 campers at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer program for girls aged 7 to 17, missing amidst washed-out cabins and treacherous conditions.

The deluge, dumping up to 10 inches of rain, struck with ferocious speed, prompting an overnight evacuation of the camp, though tragically, some children were left behind. Roads surrounding the area, including a critical highway, have been obliterated, complicating rescue efforts. It’s a stark reminder that nature doesn’t bend to our modern conveniences or progressive notions of control.

Floods Devastate Camp Mystic Overnight

Some of the missing girls have been located but remain stranded, unable to reach safety due to the ongoing chaos. Camp Mystic itself lost power, water, and Wi-Fi, severing communication as staff scrambled to account for the children. An email to families grimly noted, “If you have not been personally contacted, then your daughter is accounted for.”

That cold comfort hardly eases the pain for parents waiting by the phone, and it’s hard not to wonder if better infrastructure or preparedness could have mitigated this disaster. The state isn’t sitting idle, though, with Gov. Greg Abbott calling the flooding “devastating” across Hill County and the Concho Valley.

Rescue operations kicked into high gear with the Texas National Guard activated on Thursday night, conducting helicopter searches in Hunt and Kerrville. A staggering 500 workers, 40 helicopters, 12 drones, and nine dive teams are combing the area, joined by the US Coast Guard and FEMA.

Massive Rescue Efforts Underway in Kerr County

The numbers are staggering, but the reality is even grimmer—bodies of adults and children have been found, some in vehicles, others swept away by the raging Guadalupe River, which hit its second-highest recorded level. State officials, cautious about premature counts, have declined to finalize a death toll as searches continue. At least six fatalities were reported by the Austin American-Statesman, though Kerr County alone confirms 13 dead.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, speaking at a news conference on Friday, offered hope amidst despair, saying, “That does not mean they’ve been lost.” He’s right to urge caution, but every hour counts when kids are clinging to trees or hiding from rising waters. Let’s pray bureaucracy doesn’t slow down boots on the ground.

Patrick also pleaded with families to stay away from the disaster zone, noting, “I know if it were one of my children, I would be tempted to want to drive there.” It’s a gut-wrenching truth—every parent’s instinct is to rush in, but clogged roads and washed-out highways only hinder the 500 additional rescuers deployed. Common sense must prevail over emotion here.

Ongoing Flash Flood Threats Loom Large

The threat isn’t over, with rainfall expected to persist and flash flooding risks stretching from San Antonio to Waco for the next 24 to 48 hours. Patrick warned of “continued risks in west and central Texas,” urging residents to heed local guidance. Nature’s fury doesn’t care for our schedules or sensibilities—turns out, that ignoring warnings has consequences.

Kerr County issued an evacuation order, directing residents near the Guadalupe River to seek higher ground immediately. The scale of this crisis has even reached the White House, with President Trump notified and support offered, as Patrick confirmed, “Whatever we need, we will have.” It’s reassuring to see federal attention, though local grit often saves the day before red tape clears.

Other nearby camps, like Camp La Junta, an all-boys program, reported their children safe via Instagram, a small mercy in this storm. But for Camp Mystic families, the wait is agonizing, with Sheriff Larry L. Leitha admitting, “This is probably going to be a couple of day process.”

Community Clings to Hope Amid Tragedy

Leitha’s candor cuts deep—days of uncertainty for parents is a nightmare no one should endure. Yet, Patrick’s vow to leave no stone unturned, promising to look “at every tree,” offers a flicker of resolve. If grit and faith can pull through, it’s in moments like these.

Amid washed-away cabins and stranded children, the scale of this tragedy in Kerr County is a sobering wake-up call. We can’t legislate away natural disasters, nor can trendy policies tame a river’s wrath. What we can do is support these families, pray for the missing, and demand accountability for future preparedness.

As rescue teams battle ongoing floods, the nation watches, hoping for miracles along the Guadalupe. For now, Kerr County stands united in grief and determination, a testament to the resilience that defines the heart of Texas. Let’s hope that heart brings every missing girl home safe.