Devastating flash floods have swept through central Texas, resulting in at least 24 confirmed fatalities. Local authorities are currently searching for multiple missing children who were participating in a summer camp near the Guadalupe River.
According to officials, the river’s water level rose dramatically, swelling approximately eight meters (26 feet) in just 45 minutes overnight. Kerr County Sheriff’s Office had previously reported 13 deaths and the total has since risen significantly. The deceased include both adults and children and some were discovered inside vehicles caught in the floodwaters.
A massive response effort is underway, with nearly 500 rescue personnel and 14 helicopters deployed, alongside support from the Texas National Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard. Freeman Martin, head of the Texas Department of Public Safety, is cautioning residents to prepare for the potential of further flood waves.
The current devastation follows a similar flooding event in San Antonio, located southeast of Kerr County, which claimed at least ten lives in mid-June. County Administrator Rob Kelly described the situation as exceptionally destructive and lethal. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has pledged the full support of all available resources to aid in rescue and recovery efforts.