At least 24 people have been confirmed dead and up to 25 remain missing following a devastating flash flood in Texas on Friday, including campers from a girls’ retreat caught in the deluge.
The tragedy, which struck on the Fourth of July, overwhelmed parts of the state as water levels in the Guadalupe River surged by 26 feet in just 45 minutes, according to Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. “It was a destructive flood, taking property and sadly lives,” he said at a press briefing.
The missing girls were attending a summer camp near the river and were last seen before the sudden rise in water levels. Search and rescue efforts continued overnight, with officials stressing that communication lines may be down and that not all those unaccounted for are confirmed lost.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said federal resources had been pledged to support ongoing rescue operations. “We are throwing every resource at this,” he said. President Donald Trump called the disaster “shocking” and “terrible,” offering condolences and federal aid.
However, Patrick reassured anxious families: “If you haven’t been contacted, your child is accounted for. Some of the girls may be safe but out of communication reach.”
He also addressed public calls to join the rescue, saying, “We appreciate the offers, but we do not need additional equipment. We have 14 helicopters, 12 drones, and nearly 500 personnel including divers, rescue teams, and swimmers on the ground.”
