Texas – Heavy rain devastated Kerr County, Texas, early Friday morning, killing thirteen people and creating “catastrophic” flooding conditions, according to the sheriff’s report.
The fatalities include children, stated Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who currently serves as acting governor.
Multiple major camps operate in the region, and Camp Mystic reports that approximately 23 of its 750 campers remain unaccounted for, Patrick confirmed.
“We cannot assume they’ve perished — they might have climbed into trees or lost communication access. We’re holding onto hope that rescuers will find all missing individuals alive,” Patrick explained during a news conference.
Camp Mystic addressed parents directly in a letter: “If your daughter is not accounted for, you have been notified. If you have not been personally contacted, then your daughter is accounted for.”
Kerr County, located approximately 60 miles north of San Antonio, has received up to 12 inches of rainfall, with precipitation continuing into the evening hours.
Emergency crews rescued dozens of people Friday morning and continue their search operations, reported Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly.
“This disaster struck during nighttime hours, catching people asleep in their beds,” Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring stated at an earlier news conference, visibly emotional. “Please pray for our community.”
The Guadalupe River in Kerr County surged an incredible 26 feet within just 45 minutes, Patrick revealed. The river climbed to its second-highest recorded level, exceeding the 1987 flood mark, confirmed the National Weather Service.
The sheriff’s office issued urgent warnings for residents to avoid travel, emphasizing that “those near creeks, streams, and the Guadalupe River should immediately move to higher ground.”
At a campground situated along the Guadalupe River, visitors captured video footage of their evacuation as they watched floodwater creeping beneath their vehicles. Additional videos revealed cars and cabins completely underwater.
“I stayed awake throughout the night monitoring weather alerts. A river flood warning came through at 2am. Since the river sat at a considerable distance from our campsite, we believed we’d remain safe,” camper Katie explained to ABC News through Instagram. “Around 5:30am, someone pounded on our RV door, shouting for us to evacuate immediately. The Guadalupe River had risen with frightening speed. We loaded the kids into the truck and prepared to abandon our camper if necessary. Fortunately, we managed to hitch up our camper and escape with it too.”
“The river had reached the back edge of our campsite by the time we departed. The water raged violently, and we could hear trees and debris snapping,” she described. “The situation terrified us, but we feel incredibly grateful to the park workers who woke everyone up and helped us escape safely. Praying for everyone affected by the flooding.”
