A devastating flash flood swept across Texas Hill Country early Friday morning, claiming at least 13 lives and leaving dozens missing including nearly two dozen girls attending a summer camp after months’ worth of rain fell within hours.
Officials say more than 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rainfall triggered a violent surge in the Guadalupe River, which rose more than 22 feet in just two hours, overwhelming communities across central Kerr County.
Emergency responders launched massive search-and-rescue operations involving boats, helicopters, and drones. At least 400 personnel are on the ground assisting with efforts. Some people were rescued from treetops, while families formed tearful lines at a reunification center in Ingram, waiting for news of loved ones.
“This is a developing and tragic situation,” said Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick during a press briefing. “Some of the victims are adults, some are children. We are doing whatever we can to find everyone we can.”
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed that 13 fatalities had been recorded by late Friday, though the final number remains uncertain as search teams comb debris-strewn areas. Several vehicles, buildings, and businesses sustained heavy damage, and entire homes were flooded to their roofs.
Among those unaccounted for are approximately 23 girls from Camp Mystic, a popular century-old summer retreat nestled between Hunt and Ingram. Parents flooded social media and local sheriff pages with photos and desperate pleas for help.
Survivors’ Horror: ‘A Pitch Black Wall of Death’
Residents recounted harrowing stories of survival. Erin Burgess, whose home sits just across from the Guadalupe River, described how she and her 19-year-old son clung to a tree for over an hour as floodwaters surged through their house. Her boyfriend and dog were swept away but later found alive.
“I was just hanging on to him — he’s over six feet tall — and that’s the only thing that saved me,” she said.
Matthew Stone of Kerrville said there was no emergency alert before what he called “a pitch black wall of death” hit. He described rescuing neighbors using a paddle boat and hearing cries for help in the darkness — but being unable to locate the source.
At a nearby reunification center, children and elderly evacuees were seen being carried to safety. One girl in a soaked Camp Mystic shirt sobbed in her mother’s arms, her socks soaked from floodwater.
Barry Adelman, 54, said he and his family, including a 94-year-old grandmother and 9-year-old grandson, were forced into their attic as the water rose. “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.”
Officials Defend Response: ‘No One Knew This Kind of Flood Was Coming’
Questions have emerged about the lack of early warnings in the flood-prone region. Judge Rob Kelly, Kerr County’s chief elected official, acknowledged the county does not have a formal warning system in place.
“We have floods all the time,” Kelly said. “But this… this is the most dangerous river valley in the United States. No one knew this kind of flood was coming.”
The National Weather Service had issued flood watches and later warnings, but rainfall totals exceeded expectations. A river gauge in Hunt failed after peaking at 29.5 feet.
The region, known as “flash flood alley,” is particularly vulnerable due to thin layers of soil atop sloping hills. Water rushes downhill quickly during storms, leaving residents little time to react.
Tranquil River Turns Deadly
Texas Hill Country’s rivers typically attract tourists and summer campers with their peaceful waters and scenic beauty. Now, the area faces a painful cleanup and a long recovery. Nonprofits are mobilizing through the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country to provide aid.
“It’s generally a very tranquil river with really beautiful clear blue water that people have been attracted to for generations,” said Austin Dickson, CEO of the foundation. “Now, it’s left scars that will last for years.”
Related Storm Deaths in New Jersey
Meanwhile, severe weather also brought tragedy to the East Coast. In New Jersey, thunderstorms killed at least three people, including two men in Plainfield who died when a tree fell onto their vehicle. The city later canceled its July Fourth parade and celebrations.
Back in Texas, rescue efforts continue — with families clinging to hope and first responders racing against time.
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