What started as a summer getaway transformed into a tragic calamity as devastating flash floods ravaged Central Texas during the Fourth of July weekend. Among the most severely affected locations was Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp situated along the Guadalupe River, where 27 campers and counselors perished when the river rose over 20 feet in merely two hours. The floodwaters struck in the early hours, catching many by surprise.
State authorities have confirmed a minimum of 82 fatalities throughout the region, with Kerr County identified as the epicenter of this disaster. There, 28 children and 40 adults lost their lives, and at least 41 individuals are still unaccounted for. As the search for survivors persists, rescue teams are contending with perilous conditions, exacerbated by heavy rainfall and hazardous flood debris.
The National Weather Service has issued new flash flood alerts and prolonged a flood watch that impacts nearly 5 million residents in Central Texas. Meteorologists caution of further rainfall, predicting 2 to 4 inches, with some regions potentially receiving up to 10 inches. Governor Greg Abbott has highlighted the ongoing danger, urging residents to remain vigilant.
The slow-moving storms have concentrated near Killeen, where flash flood warnings continue to be in effect. The saturated soil, coupled with additional rain, significantly heightens the risk of further flooding. The NWS has confirmed that the flood watch will remain active until Monday evening.
Rescue teams, including volunteers from the United Cajun Navy, are navigating life-threatening situations. Shifting waters, submerged debris, and fallen trees have compelled rescuers to utilize chainsaws merely to traverse short distances, transforming every effort into a perilous undertaking.
