Rescuers in Texas are racing against time to find 27 missing girls after devastating floods killed at least 50 people. The disaster struck a riverside summer camp in Kerr County, where torrential rains triggered a sudden surge of water, leaving the site in ruins. Belongings like teddy bears and blankets were found caked in mud as emergency crews combed through debris. Flash flood warnings remain active across central Texas, with the Guadalupe River swelling 26 feet in under an hour, submerging homes and roads.
Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed 43 deaths in Kerr County alone, including 15 children. Additional victims were discovered in neighboring areas, pushing the total fatalities to 50. Texas emergency officials have deployed air, ground, and water teams to search for survivors—and recover the dead—along the raging river. “We will not stop until every missing person is found,” vowed Nim Kidd, head of the state’s emergency management.
The floods began on Friday, at the start of the Fourth of July holiday, when months’ worth of rain fell within hours. Witnesses described terrifying scenes as the Guadalupe River turned into a violent torrent, sweeping away cars and even houses. “The water reached the treetops—about 10 meters high,” said local resident Gerardo Martinez. The National Weather Service has warned that more rain is expected, raising fears of further flooding in low-lying areas.
Scientists attribute the increasing frequency of such disasters to climate change, which is making extreme weather events—floods, droughts, and heatwaves—more intense and deadly. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has requested additional federal aid from President Donald Trump as recovery efforts continue. Meanwhile, communities brace for more rain, praying that the worst is over—but fearing what may still come.