Texas Flood Disaster Claims 24 Lives as River Surges 26 Feet in Under an Hour
The central region of Texas is reeling from the aftermath of one of the most catastrophic flooding events in recent history. As of Friday evening, authorities have confirmed 24 fatalities in Kerr County following intense rainfall and flash floods that devastated the area.
The Guadalupe River in Kerr County surged 26 feet in just 45 minutes, catching many residents off guard.
The devastation unfolded rapidly in the early hours of Friday. According to Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha, torrential rain overwhelmed the region, resulting in what he described as “catastrophic” flooding. Speaking during a press briefing, he confirmed that children are among the deceased.
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, acting in place of Governor Greg Abbott, expressed deep concern about the number of people still unaccounted for. “It was a holiday weekend here,” Sheriff Leitha explained. “We had many visitors and campers in the region. We’re still working to determine the total number of those missing.”
Particularly troubling was the situation at Camp Mystic, a popular youth summer camp near the Guadalupe River. With roughly 750 campers on site, up to 25 individuals were initially reported as unaccounted for. However, camp administrators sent letters to parents reassuring them that anyone whose child was missing had already been contacted directly.
“If your daughter is not accounted for, you have been notified. If you haven’t been personally contacted, your daughter is safe,” the letter stated.
Despite the uncertainty, Lt. Governor Patrick urged calm and hope: “Missing does not mean lost. They may simply be unreachable due to power loss or displaced from communication networks. They could be in trees, or seeking higher ground.”
Governor Abbott has officially declared a state of disaster in the affected counties, mobilizing emergency response resources including the Texas National Guard and specialized search and rescue teams. “Operations will continue through the night,” Abbott said during an evening press conference. “Crews are working nonstop to find those still unaccounted for.”
Texas National Guard and emergency services remain in active rescue mode overnight.
Meteorologists reported that some parts of Kerr County received up to 12 inches of rainfall in a matter of hours. The intense volume of water triggered flash floods, catching many by surprise—especially those asleep in bed during the night.
Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring spoke emotionally during an earlier news conference: “This happened while people were sleeping. Please pray for our community.”
One of the most dramatic indicators of the flood’s severity was the rapid rise of the Guadalupe River, which surged an astonishing 26 feet in just 45 minutes. The National Weather Service noted that the river’s water level exceeded historical records, becoming the second-highest crest ever recorded in the county—surpassing the devastating 1987 flood.
Emergency officials warned residents in the area to immediately seek higher ground. “Stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary,” the sheriff’s office advised. “If you live near creeks, streams, or the Guadalupe River, evacuate to higher ground without delay.”
Eyewitnesses shared harrowing footage of cabins and cars submerged in muddy water. At riverside campgrounds, some visitors narrowly escaped tragedy.
One camper, Katie, recounted her experience via Instagram: “I was up all night monitoring weather alerts. Around 2 a.m., there was a river flood warning. The river seemed far enough away from our site, so we stayed. At 5:30 a.m., we heard banging on the RV and someone shouting to get out immediately. The river had risen rapidly.”
“We grabbed our kids and got into the truck, ready to leave the camper behind. Thankfully, we managed to hook it up and pull out just in time,” she continued. “When we left, the river was at the edge of our site. You could hear the roar of the water and trees snapping. It was terrifying. We’re incredibly grateful to the park workers who went around waking everyone up. They saved lives. We’re praying for everyone still affected.”
As the search and rescue efforts continue, local authorities and emergency teams remain focused on locating the missing and offering support to those displaced. The scale of the disaster highlights the increasing unpredictability of extreme weather events—and the vital importance of real-time response and preparedness.
Texas residents are urged to follow all emergency alerts and safety instructions. The full extent of the damage will become clearer in the coming days as water levels recede and rescue teams assess the hardest-hit regions.