A major search and rescue operation continues through the night in Texas after flash floods killed at least 24 people and left multiple girls missing from a Christian summer camp.
The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in less than an hour with minimal warning, creating flooding that swept away mobile homes, vehicles and holiday cabins where people were spending the July 4th weekend.
Rescue crews are searching for up to 25 children who were among 750 girls attending Camp Mystic near Kerrville, located 104 kilometers northwest of San Antonio.
A state of emergency has been declared in several counties where roads have been washed away and phone lines are down.
President Donald Trump called the tragedy “shocking” and “terrible” as the White House pledged additional assistance.
Images show deep flood waters overwhelming bridges and fast-moving water rushing down roads.
Eyewitness Bud Bolton described the moment floodwaters swept through a recreational vehicle park in Kerrville.
“They were caught inside that RV, and that RV’s floating away,” he told the San Antonio Express News. “And kids are screaming, and you can’t do nothing for them.”
Park resident Thomas Rux said he was awakened by thunder and rain before the fire department ordered evacuation late at night. Moments later his vehicle was swept away by the aggressive flood waters.
Restaurant owner Lorena said: “It’s total devastation. Helicopters are flying in, rescuing people trapped in trees. It’s bad.”
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick explained: “Within 45 minutes, the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet and it was a destructive flood, taking property and sadly lives.”
He informed parents that if they had not been contacted, their child was accounted for.
“That does not mean the missing children have been lost. They could be out of communication,” Patrick added.
According to Camp Mystic’s website, children become eligible to attend after completing second grade.
Officials said search and rescue operations involving helicopters, drones and boats would continue until everyone had been accounted for.
The camp reported having no power, no water and no Wi-Fi, adding that “the highway has washed away, so we are struggling to get more help.”
On Friday morning, flash flooding prompted disaster declarations for the Hill Country and Concho Valley regions.
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly was asked during a news conference why camps along the Guadalupe River had not been evacuated in advance.
“We didn’t know this flood was coming. Rest assured, no-one knew this kind of flood was coming,” Kelly said.
He added “we do not have a warning system” in the area. Kelly noted what happened Friday far surpassed a 1987 flood that killed 10 teenagers on a church camp bus near Comfort, south of Kerr County.
According to CBS News, the Texas Division of Emergency Management held multiple meetings Thursday to prepare, but officials said the National Weather Service “did not predict the amount of rain that we saw.”
Original estimates were for up to 8 inches of rain.
Officials said they remained concerned about the weather, adding that “if you do not live in area, do not come.”
Kerr County Sheriff’s Office told residents near creeks, streams and the Guadalupe River to move to higher ground.
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