**Texas Communities Reel as Flood Death Toll Hits 51, with Dozens of Young Girls Missing**
Central Texas is grappling with the aftermath of catastrophic flooding, as the death toll has climbed to at least 51 people, including many children. Emergency teams are continuing an urgent search and rescue operation as hope fades for 27 girls still unaccounted for after their summer camp was devastated by a sudden surge of water.
Rescue workers have been tirelessly navigating the difficult terrain of Kerr County and its environs, where the once-tranquil landscape is now marked by tangled trees, wrecked vehicles, and mud-laden debris. The scale of destruction was unleashed when a historic flash flood swept through the region before dawn on Friday, catching many by surprise. Kerr County officials confirmed that among the deceased are 15 children, underscoring the tragedy that has struck local families and summer visitors alike.
The disaster has drawn particular attention to Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp located beside the Guadalupe River. The camp was directly in the path of the flash flood’s most powerful wave, a wall of water that rose an astonishing 26 feet in less than an hour. When the waters retreated, dozens of children were missing, with at least 27 girls still unaccounted for as of Saturday evening. Authorities have yet to release a complete count of missing individuals beyond those connected to the camp, raising concerns that the true scale of the disaster may be even greater.
Across the region, emergency teams have been making use of helicopters, inflatable boats, and drones to scour the landscape for survivors. Many of the rescued were found clinging to trees or stranded at isolated campsites, cut off when roads collapsed or were washed away entirely. The effort is being led by both local officials and state agencies, working around the clock under the direction of Texas Governor Greg Abbott. On Saturday, Governor Abbott announced that new areas would be added to the search as the floodwaters receded, and declared Sunday a statewide day of prayer for victims, those still missing, and for the safety of first responders.
Governor Abbott’s statement encouraged collective reflection: “I urge every Texan to join me in prayer this Sunday—for the lives lost, for those still missing, for the recovery of our communities, and for the safety of those on the front lines.” His words come as the scale of the calamity has forced many to question both the preparedness of local authorities and the adequacy of warnings issued to residents in areas known to be vulnerable to flash flooding.
Criticism has begun to mount over whether sufficient precautions and early alerts were provided to populations at risk. The Guadalupe River valley is home to a number of summer camps and holiday destinations, especially popular around the July 4th weekend. The influx of tourists and campers for the holiday period has made it even more challenging to assess the full scope of those impacted or still missing.
Local leaders have expressed their hesitation to offer definitive numbers as the situation continues to unfold. Kerrville city manager Dalton Rice told reporters earlier, “We don’t even want to begin to estimate at this time,” citing both the ongoing search efforts and the lack of comprehensive records on the number of visitors to the area during the holiday period.
For generations, families have travelled to the scenic central Texas hills to enjoy outdoor recreation along the Guadalupe River. The suddenness and severity of the flooding has shaken many long-time residents, reigniting debates about climate resilience and the need for improved safety measures at riverside camps.
As night falls once more over devastated communities, rescue teams press on in the hope of finding survivors against increasingly grim odds. For many families, the wait for news continues, their lives upended by a disaster that has left heartbreak in its wake—and raised urgent questions about how such tragedies can be averted in the future.