Two girls missing from a summer camp were found dead as a desperate search for dozens of other campers continues after devastating floods hit Texas, killing at least 27.
The death toll rose to 27 as of Saturday morning, with Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirming that 18 adults and nine children had died as a result of the floods. As of Saturday morning, at least 850 had been rescued or evacuated, officials said.
There are also 27 girls still missing from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe River that was ravaged by the floods, officials said.
Four girls who attended Camp Mystic have been found dead, according to reports, marking a tragic end to a day-long search.
The unexpected flash flooding struck on Friday after torrential rain along the Guadalupe River. The destructive force of the fast-rising waters just before dawn on Friday washed out homes and swept away vehicles.
At least 400 people were on the ground helping in the response, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said. Nine rescue teams. The U.S. Coast Guard has saved or assisted in saving 223 lives, Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem said on Saturday.
President Donald Trump has described the floods as “terrible” and "shocking."
Key Points
- Two Camp Mystic campers found dead, family confirm
- Death toll rises to 27 as search for missing campers continues
- 'Life threatening' flooding still ongoing, says weather service
- What caused the flooding?
- Witness accounts lay bare horror of the floods
Two others confirmed dead in Travis County, officials say
20:15
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Kelly Rissman
Two others have died and an additional 10 have been reported missing after floods ravaged the region, according to Travis County Emergency Services District 1.
One of the missing people is a 17-year-old girl, according to KXAN.
“We literally had homes that were washed away. We had people trapped in homes,” Travis County Fire Chief Donnie Norman told KXAN. Many of these residents were rescued, he added.
Officials have urged locals to resist the urge to join the search.
“Don’t become a statistic, please stay home,” Norman added.
Two more campers confirmed dead after catastrophic floods
20:00
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Kelly Rissman
The families of two girls who went missing after floods devastated Camp Mystic — Sarah Marsh and Lila Bonner — confirmed the tragic news.
Alabama Republican Senator Katie Boyd Britt issued a statement regarding Marsh’s passing. “Wesley and I are heartbroken over the loss of Sarah Marsh, and we are keeping her family in our thoughts and prayers during this unimaginable time,” she wrote Saturday afternoon.
“We continue to pray for the victims’ loved ones, the survivors, those who are still missing, and our brave first responders as search and rescue efforts continue in Texas.”
Bonner’s family sent a statement to CNN about their 9-year-old: “In the midst of our unimaginable grief, we ask for privacy and are unable to confirm any details at this time,” the family said in a statement. “We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly for others to be spared from this tragic loss.”
WATCH: Texas flooding: North Texas girls missing
19:45
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Kelly Rissman
Flash floods form rapidly — here's why they're so dangerous
19:30
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Kelly Rissman
According to the National Weather Service, a flash flood is flooding that begins within six hours, and often in as little as three hours, of heavy rainfall.
Waters rise so quickly that people are caught off guard, according to the weather service.. Many people run into trouble while traveling. If at home or work, the water can rise so quickly people are trapped before they have time to think about escape.
That is just what happened to residents along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County and the surrounding area after at least 10 inches (25 centimeters) poured from the sky early Friday morning.
Here’s the full story.
Texas AG sends prayers to families during time of 'unimaginable pain and suffering'
19:15
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Kelly Rissman
The state’s Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a statement in the wake of the floods.
“This tragic unimaginable flood in the hill country has brought so much loss and devastation. This morning Texans are praying for these families. God be with them during this time of unimaginable pain and suffering,” he wrote in a social media post Saturday morning.
“I wanna thank all of the first responders and volunteers that are working around the clock. This is truly tragic situation. My office stands ready to assist in anyway we can for the victims of this tragic situation. Our hearts mourn with you.”
More than 850 people rescued as search efforts continue
19:00
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Kelly Rissman
The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office announced that 850 uninjured people and eight injured people have been rescued after the floods devastated the region.
Tragically, 27 people —18 adults and nine children — died in the catastrophic floods. Six adults and one child are currently unidentified, according to the sheriff’s office in a Saturday morning statement.
“We are unable to release any further information on the deceased at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the deceased and their loved ones. We are working hard to locate anyone who is still missing and ensure they are safe,” the sheriff’s office said.
Officials are still searching for 27 missing children who attended Camp Mystic, a Christian all-girls summer camp along the Guadalupe River.
Other locals visiting the area could also be missing, but officials haven’t tried calculating that number, they said Saturday morning.
Mother reunites with Camp Mystic girl: 'We are so grateful'
18:45
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Kelly Rissman
Reunification efforts are underway after 27 people were killed in the catastrophic floods in Texas.
More than two dozen girls attending Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe River, are still missing.
Jenny MacLennan told the New York Times she’s “grateful” to be a parent who has been reunited with her 10-year-old daughter. The girl’s cabin was on high ground above the floods, she told the outlet.
“It’s completely devastating” that so many families haven’t reunited with their children, MacLennan said. “We were one of the ones that did, and we are so grateful.”
The Red Cross is assisting with reunification, according to the Kerr County sheriff’s office.
If you are missing someone during this emergency, please call 800.733.2767.
Flash floods pummel south-central Texas
18:15
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Kelly Rissman
Texas braces for more flash floods as rescue efforts are still underway for at least 27 missing girls.
South central Texas can expect additional flash floods near the Guadalupe River, which surged 29 feet in a matter of hours, according to the National Weather Service.
Officials urged locals to evacuate immediately or find higher ground if evacuation isn’t possible.
Heavy rain continues across the I-35 corridor. Flash Flood Emergencies remain in effect for Burnet County, western Williamson County, NW Travis County, and the Guadalupe River in Comal County between Sattler/Gruene. Streams continue to overflow their banks and rise rapidly. pic.twitter.com/NDMUdiVVAq
— NWS Austin/San Antonio (@NWSSanAntonio) July 5, 2025
In photos: Devastation after flash floods ravaged parts of Texas
18:01
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Kelly Rissman
Why flash floods are so dangerous
18:00
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Kelly Rissman
A monstrous, swift-moving flood swept through the Hill Country of west-central Texas Friday, while many families celebrated 4 July.
Latest reports suggest at least 24 have been killed.
Additionally, nearly two dozen remain missing - many of them children attending a Christian camp. The search continues as desperate families post social media pictures of their loved ones in a desperate bid to find them.
The tragedy has been officially categoriszd as a flash flood, the nation's top storm-related killer.
Read the full story.
Kerrville mayor calls it a 'hard day' as death toll rises to 27
17:45
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Kelly Rissman
“Today will be a hard day. It will be a hard day,” Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. said at a Saturday morning press conference.
At that news conference, officials announced the death toll rose to 27, with the lives of 18 adults and nine children taken by the flash floods.
He thanked federal resources for aiding the community. The mayor said people from all over the country and around the world have asked how they can help Kerrville. “Please pray for our community,” he said.
Congressman shares how someone survived floods on a mattress
17:30
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Kelly Rissman
Texas Republican Congressman Chip Roy details how someone survived the catastrophic floods by riding a mattress.
“I just got a text from one of my kids’ classmates who was on a mattress for three hours through the night. She was miraculously found. She’s alive and well,” Roy told KENS 5. “We’re just hopeful for more of those kinds of stories.”
The death toll has risen to 27 as the devastating flash floods took the lives of 18 adults and nine children.
Rescue efforts are still underway for the 27 Camp Mystic girls who are missing, officials have said. As of Saturday morning, more than 850 people have been rescued or evacuated, according to local officials.
Watch: Deadly flooding in Texas captured from bridge
17:15
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Kelly Rissman
Additional rainfall headed for San Antonio-area
17:00
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Kelly Rissman
More flash floods are headed for Texas, outside of San Antonio, the National Weather Service warned.
A flood watch has been issued through 7 p.m. Saturday for 21 counties, including Kerr County.
“Additional rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches are possible with isolated pockets of 10 inches somewhere in the watch area. It is very difficult to pinpoint where exactly the isolated heavy amounts will occur in this pattern,” the NWS said.
Additional heavy rainstorms have formed between Austin and San Antonio. Heavy rain rates and flash flooding is possible with any storm that develops. Rain rates of 4 to 6 inches per hour are possible with the strongest storms. Avoid high water and heed all warnings! pic.twitter.com/J1MYS0LXuw
— NWS Austin/San Antonio (@NWSSanAntonio) July 5, 2025
In photos: Floods ravage west-central Texas, devastating the region
16:45
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Kelly Rissman
27 campers are still missing, officials said
16:31
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Kelly Rissman
At a news conference Saturday morning, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha promised his team “will not stop until every single person is found.”
“One thing I want to tell you and assure y’all is, that we will not stop until every single person is found — we’ve got all the resources we need,” he said. How long that effort will take is unclear, he said.
So far, more than 850 people have been rescued or evacuated, officials said, but the search continues after the Guadalupe River rose to 29 feet in a matter of hours.
There are 27 missing campers from Camp Mystic, said Dalton Rice, the city manager of Kerrville.
“Don’t do your own searches,” Rice warned.
Vice President JD Vance calls Texas floods an 'incomprehensible tragedy'
16:30
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Kelly Rissman
Vice President JD Vance called the catastrophic floods an “incomprehensible tragedy.”
He shared a statement on social media on Saturday morning: “Our nation's heart breaks for the victims in Texas and their families. Just an incomprehensible tragedy. I hope everyone affected knows they're in the prayers of my family, and of millions of Americans.”
The vice president also shared a prayer:
“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,and let perpetual light shine upon them.May the souls of all the faithful departed,through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”
Death toll rises to 27, Kerr County sheriff says
16:20
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Kelly Rissman
Nine children and 18 adults have been killed in the catastrophic floods, increasing the death toll to 27 people, according to the Kerr County sheriff.
“We are working hard to locate anyone who is still missing and ensure they are safe,” Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said on Saturday morning.
Roughly 850 people have been rescued, with eight suffering from injuries, CNN reported.
Trump administration is working with local officials as the president calls floods a 'horrible tragedy'
16:14
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Kelly Rissman
President Donald Trump announced the federal government is working with officials in Texas in response to the catastrophic floods.
“The Trump Administration is working with State and Local Officials on the ground in Texas in response to the tragic flooding that took place yesterday. Our Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, will be there shortly,” he posted on social media Saturday morning.
“Melania and I are praying for all of the families impacted by this horrible tragedy. Our Brave First Responders are on site doing what they do best. GOD BLESS THE FAMILIES, AND GOD BLESS TEXAS!” the president continued.
Texas camp director dies amid devastating floods
16:00
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Kelly Rissman
Jane Ragsdale, the co-owner of Heart O’ the Hills camp in Hunt, Texas, died after the floods rampaged the area.
“We are mourning the loss of a woman who influenced countless lives and was the definition of strong and powerful,” the camp wrote in a statement.
The website described Ragsdale as the “heart and soul of Heart O’ the Hills.” Once a camper and counselor at Heart O’ the Hills, she later served as Program Director from 1978 to 1987 before becoming the camp director in 1988. She has been a co-owner of the camp since 1976.
The camp, located along the Guadalupe River, also noted that it was not in session during the tragedy “and most of those who were on camp at the time have been accounted for and are on high ground.”
Two Camp Mystic campers found dead, family confirm
15:54
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Kelly Rissman
Nine-year-old Janie Hunt, one of the dozens of missing children who attended Camp Mystic, was found dead, her family told CNN on Saturday morning.
The tragic news about the little girl comes after her mother told the outlet on Friday night that she hadn’t heard anything about her daughter: “We are just praying.”
The family of Renee Smajstrla, 9, also announced tragic news.
“Thank you to all our friends and family for all the prayers and outreach. Renee has been found and while not the outcome we prayed for, the social media outreach likely assisted the first responders in helping to identify her so quickly,” her relative Shawn Salta wrote on Facebook.
“We are thankful she was with her friends and having the time of her life, as evidenced by this picture from yesterday. She will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic. Please continue to pray for the other families in Kerrville,” he said.
WATCH: Water rages in downtown Kerrville
15:45
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Kelly Rissman
The 'catastrophic' amount of rainfall is unusual for the area, experts say
15:30
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Kelly Rissman
Flash floods struck west-central Texas, causing the Guadalupe River to rise to a whopping 29 feet from just less than 8 feet in a matter of hours on Friday morning, according to the National Water Prediction Service.
“The flooding damage is catastrophic,” Kerrville Police Officer Jonathan Lamb told The Washington Post. “It’s the worst flood that we’ve ever seen.”
Just before 5.30 a.m. on Friday, the National Weather Service warned of a “swath of 5 -10" of rainfall has been estimated the last 3-6 hours across south-central Kerr County.” The service wrote: “This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION and a Flash Flood EMERGENCY is in effect.”
To put that in perspective, Kerr County typically gets 32 inches of rain per year.
Guadalupe River at Hunt continues to rise sharply and has reached 2nd highest height on record, higher than the 1987 flood. This flood wave will continue through Kerrville & Comfort. This is a very dangerous and life-threatening flood event along the river. Move to higher ground! pic.twitter.com/glcY2kBPtK
— NWS Austin/San Antonio (@NWSSanAntonio) July 4, 2025
First Lady Melania Trump sends prayers for Texas flood victims
15:15
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Kelly Rissman
First Lady Melania Trump issued a statement in the wake of the devastating floods that have claimed 24 lives and have left at least two dozen children missing.
“My heart goes out to the parents in Texas during this difficult time. I am holding you in my thoughts and sending prayers for strength, comfort, and resilience,” she wrote in a social media post Saturday morning.
Rescue efforts continue after 237 people found
15:00
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Kelly Rissman
More than 230 people have been rescued as of Friday night after catastrophic floods rampaged the region, state officials have said.
The forecast “did not predict the amount of rain that we saw,” Nim Kidd, the chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, said at a press conference Friday. The National Weather Service data predicted three to six inches of rain, he said.
Officials confirmed 24 fatalities, but did not provide names. The search continues for the more than 20 campers who have gone missing.
What is Camp Mystic?
14:40
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Kelly Rissman
Floods have devastated Camp Mystic, a Christian all-girls summer camp where at least two dozen campers have gone missing.
The camp is 99 years old and is located in west-central Texas on the banks of the Guadalupe River.
According to the camp’s website, campers try to meet the “Mystic ideals,” which are to “be a better person for being at Mystic”, “let Mystic bring out the best in them,” and to “grow spiritually.”
What officials have said
14:20
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Kelly Rissman
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a disaster declaration Friday night, allowing search and rescue efforts to continue overnight across 15 counties.
"I am working in coordination with the state's emergency response team on the significant flooding that occurred in the Hill Country and Concho Valley regions in the early hours of this morning,” Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick said in a Friday night statement.
“The Kerr County Sheriff's Office has reported catastrophic flooding in the area, with several people missing and confirmed loss of life. Additional rain is forecast in those areas. Even if the rain is light, more flooding can occur in those areas. There is an ongoing threat for possible flash flooding from San Antonio to Waco for the next 24 to 48 hours in addition to the continued risks in west and central Texas,” he warned.
President Donald Trump called the flooding “terrible.” He signaled federal aid was on the way: “We’re working with the governor. We’re working with the governor. It’s a terrible thing.”
In pictures: Desperate rescue efforts underway
14:00
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Alex Croft
'I was scared to death'
13:40
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Alex Croft
At a reunification center set up in Ingram, families cried and cheered as loved ones got off vehicles loaded with evacuees, Reuters reports.
Two soldiers carried an older woman who could not get down a ladder. Behind her, a woman in a soiled T-shirt and shorts clutched a small white dog.
Later, a girl in a white "Camp Mystic" T-shirt and white socks stood in a puddle, sobbing in her mother's arms.
Barry Adelman, 54, said water pushed everyone in his three-story house into the attic, including his 94-year-old grandmother and 9-year-old grandson. The water started coming through the attic floor before finally receding.
"I was horrified," he said. "I was having to look at my grandson in the face and tell him everything was going to be OK, but inside I was scared to death."
Watch: Deadly flooding in Texas captured from bridge
13:20
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Alex Croft
Popular tourism area prone to flooding
12:59
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Alex Croft
The area where the flooding took place is known as "flash flood alley" because of the hills' thin layer of soil, said Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, which was collecting donations to help nonprofits responding to the disaster.
"When it rains, water doesn't soak into the soil," Dickson said. "It rushes down the hill."
River tourism industry is a key part of the Hill Country economy. Well-known, century-old summer camps bring in kids from all over the country, Dickson said.
"It's generally a very tranquil river with really beautiful clear blue water that people have been attracted to for generations," Dickson said.
Texas flooding: Desperate families post pictures of children as 23 girls remain missing
12:45
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Alex Croft
Texas parents frantically posted photos of their young daughters on social media with pleas for information as they remain missing after flash flooding.
More than 20 campers from an all-girls summer camp were unaccounted for Friday after floods tore through the state's south-central region.
At least 24 people were reported dead Friday and dozens missing after months worth of heavy rain fell in a matter of hours on Texas Hill Country, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said.
Read the full report:
Desperate search as up to 25 girls missing from Christian summer camp
12:38
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Alex Croft
Up to 25 girls are believed to be missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp.
Hundreds of rescuers have been drafted in to desperately search for the girls, who were swept away by a wall of water after it surged the flood zone.
On social media, parents and families posted desperate pleas for information about loved ones caught in the flood zone.
"The camp was completely destroyed," said Elinor Lester, 13, one of hundreds of campers at Camp Mystic. "A helicopter landed and started taking people away. It was really scary."
She said a raging storm woke up her cabin around 1:30 a.m. Friday, and when rescuers arrived, they tied a rope for the girls to hold as the children in her cabin walked across bridge with floodwaters whipping around the calves and knees.
'We clung onto a tree for an hour'
12:29
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Alex Croft
Witness accounts from Texas have laid bare the horror of the ongoing flash flooding.
In Ingram, Erin Burgess woke to thunder and rain at 3:30 a.m.
Just 20 minutes later, water was pouring into her home directly across from the river, she said. She described an agonizing hour clinging to a tree and waiting for the water to recede enough so they could walk up the hill to a neighbor's home.
"My son and I floated to a tree where we hung onto it, and my boyfriend and my dog floated away. He was lost for a while, but we found them," she said.
Of her 19-year-old son, Burgess said: "Thankfully he's over 6 feet tall. That's the only thing that saved me, was hanging on to him."
In pictures: Devastation in Texas after rivers surge
12:26
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Alex Croft
'Life threatening' flooding still ongoing, says weather service
12:25
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Alex Croft
The National Weather Service (NWS) for Austin and San Antonio has warned that “life threatening flash flooding” is still ongoing in parts of Texas.
“Flash Flood EMERGENCY now in effect for Burnet County,” it wrote on social media. “5-12 inches of rain has occurred, an additional 2-5 inches possible. This is a Particularly Dangerous Situation with life-threatening flash flooding.”
The service earlier warned of “very dangerous” flash flooding in north-west Travis County, where a “very slow moving disturbance is producing extreme rainfall rates”.
Flash Flood EMERGENCY now in effect for Burnet County. 5-12” of rain has occurred, an additional 2-5” possible. This is a Particularly Dangerous Situation with life-threatening flash flooding. Seek higher ground if near a flooded creek or stream. Otherwise, avoid travel. pic.twitter.com/tUPvcaeo6c
— NWS Austin/San Antonio (@NWSSanAntonio) July 5, 2025
What caused the flooding?
12:13
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Alex Croft
The catastrophic flooding was caused by torrential rain - but city authorities and forecasters did not predict that it was about to strike.
One National Weather Service forecast this week had called for only between three and six inches (76 to 152 millimeters) of rain, said Nim Kidd, the chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
"It did not predict the amount of rain that we saw," he said.
Officials defended their preparations for severe weather and their response but said they had not expected such an intense downpour that was, in effect, the equivalent of months' worth of rain for the area.
At least 24 dead and more than 20 children missing in catastrophic Texas flooding
12:04
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Alex Croft
At least 24 people are reported dead and many more are missing, including girls from a Christian summer camp, after catastrophic river flooding hit central Texas Thursday and Friday.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said by Friday evening 24 people have been killed in the flooding, according to The New York Times.
Texas officials said the number of missing is unknown but between 23 and 25 of them were girls who had been attending Camp Mystic.
Read more here:
