Catastrophic flash flooding in Texas Hill Country has left at least 24 people dead and dozens missing, including Houston-area residents and 20 girls from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp inundated by the Guadalupe River’s violent surge.
On Independence Day, flash floods killed at least 24 people in the Texas Hill Country and left dozens more missing. At least 20 children at Camp Mystic in Kerr County were among the children who died. Families in the Houston area are still reeling from the shock.
At first, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo revealed that at least five of the victims were from the Houston area. She said that the violent surge of the flood was a tragedy that "we are all too familiar with." Later, on Friday night, the statement did not name any local deaths, and Hidalgo's office did not respond immediately to requests for more information.
Heavy rains on Friday caused the Guadalupe River to rise by more than 20 feet in just 90 minutes, resulting in flooding that damaged cars, trees, and buildings in the area. Search and rescue operations continued late into the night. Throughout the day, emergency workers recorded more than 230 rescues, but many families are still waiting for news of loved ones who are missing.
Greta Toranzo, a 9-year-old Houston ISD student, remains unaccounted for, according to the Sinclair Elementary PTO. Flash Flood Alley is the location of Camp Mystic, a renowned Christian summer camp for girls situated along the Guadalupe River. It was the center of the disaster.
During a news conference on Friday night, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha stated that the number of deaths was going up and asked people to stay away from the area so rescue workers could do their jobs safely. For Kerr and the surrounding counties, the state sent more than 500 search and rescue workers and over 12 planes.
A total of three Houston Fire Department firefighters joined Texas A&M Task Force One as part of FEMA's national Urban Search and Rescue system to assist with the flood response.
"The deaths and damage to communities in Central Texas are sad," said Thomas Muñoz, the fire chief of Houston. "Our city gets help from all over the state when there are floods, and we are proud to be able to help others in their time of need."
Officials in charge of state emergencies advised people to stay away from flooded areas and pay attention to warnings, as rivers could remain dangerously high into the weekend. President Donald Trump has been in touch with Texas leaders and has offered to help if needed.
We do not know what the victims' names are yet because the search is still going on, and families are waiting for word that their loved ones are safe.
