Texas flash floods kill 27, including 9 children; over 20 girls from summer camp still missing

Kerrville: At least 27 people, including nine children, have died in Texas following catastrophic flash floods triggered by torrential rain, local officials confirmed on Saturday. Over 20 girls remain missing from Camp Mystic, a riverside Christian summer camp in Kerr County, as emergency teams continue extensive rescue operations.

The floods were described as some of the worst in living memory by residents, after the Guadalupe River rose a staggering 26 feet (eight metres) in just 45 minutes overnight. The usually calm river became a raging torrent, sweeping away homes, vehicles, and trees. Videos circulating online showed the scale of destruction, including entire buildings being carried off by the floodwaters.

The flooding began late Thursday and intensified through Friday, catching local authorities off guard. “We didn’t know this flood was coming,” admitted Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly. “This is the most dangerous river valley in the United States.”

According to the National Weather Service, further “locally catastrophic” rainfall is expected in the region. Residents have been advised to seek higher ground immediately, with flash flooding still occurring.

Over 500 rescue personnel and 14 helicopters have been deployed, and more than 230 people have been rescued so far. Among those confirmed dead is Jane Ragsdale, director of Heart O' The Hills summer camp, located near Camp Mystic.

Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick described the flood as a “mass casualty event”, while Vice President JD Vance called it an “incomprehensible tragedy.” President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott have both pledged emergency aid and federal support. Abbott has signed a disaster declaration to expedite the mobilisation of resources.

The disaster comes amid growing concerns over extreme weather events intensified by human-driven climate change. Scientists note that rising global temperatures are leading to more frequent and intense floods, droughts, and heatwaves across the globe.

As rescue efforts continue, families of the missing girls wait anxiously for news. While some are feared dead, officials have not ruled out the possibility that some may be alive, stranded in trees or remote areas without communication. Many of the affected families were attending the Camp Mystic programme, which hosted around 750 children.

Residents like Gerardo Martinez, 61, recounted the horror: “It rained in a day what it usually rains in a year. Cars, whole houses were going down the river.” Another local, Soila Reyna, added, “Nothing like as catastrophic as this, where it involved children. It’s just crazy.”

With the Guadalupe River still swollen and more rain forecast, the situation remains critical. The full scale of the tragedy may only become clear in the days ahead.