Texas National Guard was deployed on Friday after catastrophic river flooding along the Guadalupe River killed at least 25 people and swept away dozens of children at a local Christian camp.
Flash Flood Hits Hard: Guadalupe River Swells 30 Feet in 45 Minutes
Heavy rain on Friday morning caused the Guadalupe River to rise by nearly 30 feet in just 45 minutes, flooding the area and causing widespread devastation.
State officials confirmed that at least 25 people are dead, including both adults and children. Of the deaths, 24 were in Kerr County, with one reported in Kendall County.
Camp Mystic Devastated, Dozens of Children Missing
Camp Mystic, an all-girls private Christian camp along the Guadalupe River, had more than 750 attendees at the time of the flood. According to officials, between 23 and 25 people remain missing, many of them children from the camp.
In response, helicopters and military vehicles have been used for evacuations, with 237 people evacuated so far, including 167 by helicopter, according to Major General Thomas Suelzer.
Emergency Response and Federal Assistance
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that local and state officials are working together around the clock to provide support. The governor also stated that Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum have offered federal resources to assist in the rescue efforts.
“We’re directing all available resources to respond to the flood,” Abbott said in a statement, including water rescue teams, sheltering centers, and the Texas National Guard.
Personal Stories of Loss and Hope
Families are in turmoil, with Ellen Toranzo telling Fox News that her daughter, Greta Toranzo, is among the missing campers. Similarly, Carrie Hanna confirmed that her daughter, Hadley, is also unaccounted for.
Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. has issued a disaster declaration, and local officials are working hard to manage the crisis.
Community Support and Assistance
Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. John Cornyn expressed their support, with Cruz asking for prayers for the people of the Hill Country. Cruz also spoke with Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and President Trump, who offered full assistance to Texas in its recovery efforts.
Lt. Gov. Patrick urged parents to avoid driving to the area due to impassable roads, but reassured families that once roads are cleared, buses will be deployed to reunite children with their parents.
Power Outages and Emergency Shelters
As of 11 p.m. Eastern Time, nearly 3,000 people were without power, according to the Kerrville Public Utility Board outage map. Local funeral homes are overwhelmed with the scale of the tragedy.
A local Walmart has been set up as a temporary reunification center, and shelters have been activated. The Red Cross is also providing assistance, according to the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office.