Tragedy in Texas: Flash flood claims 24 lives

Rescue operations are ongoing in south-central Texas after a devastating flash flood swept through the region, claiming at least 24 lives.

Authorities have confirmed that many of the victims are children, while over 20 girls from a riverside summer camp remain missing.

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha disclosed at a press briefing that around 23 to 25 individuals are still unaccounted for, most of them girls attending Camp Mystic — a summer retreat located along the banks of the Guadalupe River. The river reportedly surged 26 feet within 45 minutes following a torrential downpour, trapping the camp’s occupants overnight.

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick noted that the exact fate of the missing girls is uncertain. “It doesn’t mean they’re lost,” he explained. “They might be stranded in trees or areas where communication isn’t possible.” He added that efforts are ongoing to reach all survivors.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of disaster for the affected counties to mobilize resources. The rescue effort has seen over 500 personnel, including 14 helicopters and state military teams, successfully evacuating 237 people so far, with 167 airlifted to safety.

Freeman Martin, head of the state’s public safety department, described the situation as a “mass casualty event,” noting that operations have been hampered by difficult weather conditions but would persist until every missing person is accounted for.

Disturbing videos shared on social media showed homes, trees, and vehicles being swept away by the powerful floodwaters. Governor Abbott posted a clip of a dramatic helicopter rescue, vowing that search operations would continue around the clock.

Meanwhile, authorities are bracing for more danger as forecasts predict another round of heavy rainfall that could threaten other communities in the state. Kerr County officials admitted they had no prior warning about the severity of the flood. “We flood often here, but nothing on this scale,” said county judge Rob Kelly, calling the Guadalupe River valley the “most dangerous river valley in the United States.”

The incident highlights the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, which experts link to climate change. In related incidents, flash floods in San Antonio recently claimed ten lives, while severe storms in New Jersey killed two people when a tree fell on their vehicle.

Rescue teams remain on high alert, with the Texas National Guard, US Coast Guard, and emergency services committed to ensuring no one is left behind.