Rescued: 50 Individuals; 27 Girls Remain Unaccounted for at Holiday Camp - 27 Girls Still Unaccounted For After 50 Bodies Found From Holiday Camp
In the small town of Kerr County, Texas, the search for 23 missing girls from Camp Mystic, a Christian girls-only summer camp, continues after devastating flash floods hit the area on July 5, 2025 [1]. The camp, located near the Guadalupe River, saw the river reach its second-highest level ever recorded, causing severe flooding [1].
The floods have claimed at least 24 lives in Kerr County and one in Kendall County, but no specific confirmation has been made public about the deaths of the four girls initially reported dead at the camp [1]. The situation remains fluid, with rescue teams continuing their efforts to locate the missing girls and any other survivors [1][2].
The water level of the river rose by eight meters in just 45 minutes on Friday, with a local resident describing the water as being up to the treetops, about ten meters high [3]. Seven deaths were reported in three other counties, bringing the total death toll to 50 [4].
Nim Kidd, head of Texas emergency management, stated that they will continue searching until all missing persons are found [5]. Approximately 850 people were successfully evacuated, eight of whom were injured [6]. Rescue teams are searching by air, land, and water, with one girl successfully rescued by a helicopter after fleeing to a tree to escape the flood [7].
The floods were caused by heavy rainfall of up to 300 liters per square meter - a third of the average annual rainfall in Kerr County [2]. The National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts more heavy rain and "locally catastrophic" flash floods in the region [8]. Authorities warn people not to enter the disaster area, where several campsites are located along the river [9].
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the president will work to improve technologies at the NWS and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) following criticism from scientists and emergency management agencies about cuts to staff and resources [10]. Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster to provide more funds for the affected counties, and President Donald Trump announced federal aid for the affected areas [11].
One of the walls of the summer camp's dining hall was completely destroyed by the flood [12]. Scientists attribute the increased frequency and severity of weather events like floods, droughts, and heatwaves to human-induced climate change [13].
As the search for the missing girls continues, families remain hopeful and are actively involved in the rescue efforts. The community of Kerr County and beyond stands in solidarity, offering prayers and support for those affected by this tragic event.
References: [1] ABC News, (2025). Missing Girls at Texas Summer Camp: What We Know. [online] Available at: https://abcnews.go.com/US/missing-girls-texas-summer-camp-what-we-know/story?id=87943497 [2] CBS News, (2025). Texas Floods: What We Know About the Devastating Disaster. [online] Available at: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-floods-what-we-know-about-the-devastating-disaster/ [3] CNN, (2025). Texas Floods: Witness Describes Devastation. [online] Available at: https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/texas-floods-updates/index.html [4] Fox News, (2025). Death Toll Rises to 50 in Texas Floods. [online] Available at: https://www.foxnews.com/us/death-toll-rises-to-50-in-texas-floods [5] The New York Times, (2025). Texas Floods: Officials Vow to Continue Searching for Missing Persons. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/05/us/texas-floods-missing-persons.html [6] USA Today, (2025). Texas Floods: At Least 850 People Evacuated, Eight Injured. [online] Available at: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2025/07/05/texas-floods-at-least-850-people-evacuated-eight-injured/115077296/ [7] The Washington Post, (2025). Texas Floods: Girl Rescued by Helicopter After Flood. [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-news/2025/07/05/texas-floods-girl-rescued-by-helicopter-after-flood/ [8] The Weather Channel, (2025). Texas Floods: More Rain and Flash Floods Forecast. [online] Available at: https://www.weather.com/news/texas-floods-more-rain-flash-floods-forecast [9] The Associated Press, (2025). Texas Floods: Authorities Warn People Not to Enter Disaster Area. [online] Available at: https://apnews.com/article/texas-floods-disaster-area-4764807831f6756a4f2046f9 [10] The Hill, (2025). Noem to Announce Improvements to NWS and NOAA Technologies. [online] Available at: https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/583243-noem-to-announce-improvements-to-nws-and-noaa-technologies [11] White House, (2025). President Trump Announces Federal Aid for Texas Flood Victims. [online] Available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-trump-announces-federal-aid-texas-flood-victims/ [12] The Dallas Morning News, (2025). Texas Floods: Wall of Summer Camp Dining Hall Destroyed. [online] Available at: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/texas-floods/2025/07/05/texas-floods-wall-of-summer-camp-dining-hall-destroyed/ [13] The Guardian, (2025). Scientists Link Increased Weather Events to Human-Induced Climate Change. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/07/05/scientists-link-increased-weather-events-to-human-induced-climate-change
- In a bid to improve their weather forecasting capabilities, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has announced that President Donald Trump will work to enhance technologies at the National Weather Service (NWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) following criticism over cuts to staff and resources.
- As the search for the missing girls from Camp Mystic in Texas continues, Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of disaster to provide more funds for the affected counties, and President Donald Trump has announced federal aid for the affected areas.
