Texas Flash Flooding: Officials Confirm 27 Deaths, Ongoing Search for Missing Campers

Devastating Flash Floods in Central Texas

• 💔 Torrential rain triggered flash flooding in central Texas, resulting in the confirmed deaths of at least 27 people, including nine children.
• 🌊 The Guadalupe River in Kerr County experienced a rapid rise of over 20 feet in less than two hours, overwhelming numerous summer camps.

Search and Rescue Operations

• 🔍 Boots on the ground operations commenced early Saturday, focusing on difficult terrain along the riverbanks, with specialized teams from Texas Task Force One, DPS, Game Wardens, and Border Patrol.
• 🚁 Air assets, including helicopters and the U.S. Coast Guard, are being utilized for search and rescue efforts, identifying heat sources and potential locations of missing individuals.
• ⚠️ Authorities are urging extreme caution on roads due to significant damage and debris, advising against independent searches.

Missing Persons and Camp Mystic

• 🏕️ Camp Mystic in Kerr County is a primary focus, with authorities initially reporting over 20 girls unaccounted for.
• 🔢 The known missing count is 27 individuals, all campers from Camp Mystic, but officials acknowledge an unknown number of additional people may be missing who were visiting the area.
• 🚫 Names of missing individuals will not be released to protect families from spam calls and allow them space to grieve and receive support.

Community Support and Resources

• 🙏 A fund has been established by the Community Foundation of Greater Hill Country, with information available on the City of Kerrville's Facebook page.
• 🤝 Grief counselors are available for anyone needing support, and shelters are operating, with many individuals having been reunited with their families.
• 🌐 The City of Kerrville's Facebook page is serving as a central hub for resource and information dissemination to both local citizens and the global community.

Federal and State Response

• 🇺🇸 The Trump administration is coordinating with state and local officials, with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem heading to the site.
• 🚨 FEMA and the U.S. Coast Guard have been activated, and the Army Corps of Engineers is expected to provide support.
• 🗣️ President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have expressed their prayers and support for the affected families and praised the efforts of first responders.