"There’s still several people unaccounted for right now," said Kerr County Sheriff Larry L. Leitha at a Friday afternoon press conference. "We’re working really hard. And we’re going to continue. This is probably going to be a couple of day process."
Rescue teams have been deployed throughout the area, using boats, helicopters, and drones to locate missing persons. Families are still waiting for word on loved ones who were at local campgrounds when the floods hit.
Sheriff Leitha warned that “more fatalities will be reported” as recovery efforts continue. Local shelters are filling with evacuees, and emergency responders are urging residents to stay indoors or evacuate to higher ground where possible.
This is one of the deadliest flooding events in recent Texas history, and officials are asking for donations of water, blankets, and supplies for affected families.
UPDATE
North Texas Girls Missing After Flash Flood Devastates Texas Summer Camp
A July 4th meant for celebration turned into a desperate search for answers after flash floods swept through Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer retreat in Hunt, Texas.
At least 20 girls are missing — including two from North Texas, Eloise Peck and Lila Bonner — after the Guadalupe River surged 26 feet in under an hour following catastrophic storms. Officials say the waters rose faster than most could react.
More than 400 rescue personnel and 14 helicopters are now combing the area. “They could be in a tree. They could be out of communication,” said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, urging the public not to lose hope.
Some campers were rescued by helicopter, but many remain unaccounted for. Kerr County has officially declared the event “catastrophic,” confirming 13 deaths so far — with more feared lost in the chaos.
Authorities continue to update the families as the emotional search continues. Many locals have joined in prayer vigils while first responders brave dangerous terrain in hopes of saving lives.
As heartbreak ripples across Texas, one question remains: How many more are still out there — waiting to be found?