Catastrophic Camp Mystic flooding in Texas Hill Country has claimed at least 24 lives and left the Camp reeling after rapid flash floods along the Guadalupe River. More than 20 girls remain unaccounted for as rescuers continue their desperate search.
Where Is Camp Mystic?
Camp Mystic is a Christian, all-girls summer camp located in Hunt, Kerr County, along the banks of the Guadalupe River—approximately 64 miles northwest of San Antonio. The area, known as “flash flood alley,” received a historic deluge, unleashing a month’s worth of rain in mere hours and pushing the river to its second-highest level on record.
Camp Mystic Flooding Update
Around 750 campers attended Camp Mystic when early-morning storms on July 4 triggered a devastating flash flood. The Guadalupe River surged more than 26 feet within 45 minutes, overwhelming cabins and infrastructure.
-
24 deaths confirmed in Kerr County, with one additional death in nearby Kendall County.
-
237 people rescued or evacuated, many by helicopter.
-
23 girls remain missing from Camp Mystic, per Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Some of those unaccounted include Hadley Hanna (8), Eloise Peck, Lila Bonner, Lainey Landry, Molly DeWitt, Janie Hunt, Greta Toranzo, and Virginia Hollis.
Search and rescue teams are operating around the clock, deploying:
-
14 helicopters, 12 drones, boats, and more than 500 personnel .
-
The state declared a disaster, with Texas National Guard and FEMA providing support.
-
Parents are sharing photos of missing daughters via social media in hopes of identification.
Why the Camp Mystic Flooding Was So Sudden
The storm, sitting over the region overnight, dropped more than 6.5 inches in three hours in Hunt—an event rated as a 1-in-100-year rainfall .
The nearby Guadalupe River surged from near normal levels to a catastrophic 29.5 feet, with gauges failing amid the deluge. The terrain in Kerr County—with its thin soil and flash-prone geography—amplified the impact.
Human Toll & Camp Community
Camp Mystic, in operation since 1926, is a cherished institution for generations of young girls. Teen camper Elinor Lester described cabins being washed away and rescue helicopters evacuating others from trees, saying, “A helicopter landed… It was really scary”.
Families remain in anguish, with mothers grieving for their missing children. One parent of Janie Hunt said, “We are just praying”. Greta Toranzo’s school publicized her disappearance via social media.
Official Response from Texas
-
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has stressed that missing status “does not mean they are lost,” urging public calm.
-
Gov. Greg Abbott declared a disaster, activating state resources and urging residents to heed safety warnings.
-
President Trump promised federal assistance during remarks aboard Air Force One, reinforcing national support.
Ongoing Threat Forecast
Rain remains in the forecast through Sunday, raising concerns about secondary floods and river resurgence in downstream areas.
Flash flood warnings persist across central Texas counties. The flood risk continues as the storm system migrates southeast.
Rescue operations will continue overnight and into the weekend, with urgent priorities to locate missing Camp Mystic campers and assist affected families.
Parents and community members urged to contact family reunification centers in Ingram and Kerrville for updates. Nearby camps including Waldemar and La Junta reported that all their campers are safe.
The Camp Mystic flooding incident is a stark reminder of the unpredictable danger posed by extreme weather events, especially in flash-flood-susceptible areas like Kerr County. Rescue teams are working tirelessly while families wait in anguish. In the midst of this flooding in Texas crisis, the hope remains: that the missing will be found and the survivors swiftly recovered.
