At least 13 people have died and 23 young girls are still missing after flash floods swept through Kerr County, Texas, on Friday morning.
Among those missing are campers from a girls’ summer retreat near the Guadalupe River, where floodwaters surged unexpectedly before dawn.
The National Weather Service reported rainfall exceeding 12 inches in parts of the Texas Hill Country. In just 45 minutes, the Guadalupe River rose a staggering 26 feet (8 meters), overwhelming campsites, roads, and residential areas.
Dalton Rice, city manager of Kerrville, described the deluge as “unpredictable and devastating.” “This happened within less than two hours. It couldn’t have been predicted, even with radar,” Rice said.
Despite early morning darkness and rising waters, over 700 campers were accounted for, though evacuations remain difficult. Roads were submerged and rendered impassable.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick confirmed that 23 girls remain unaccounted for. “Everybody is doing everything in their power to get these kids out,” added Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, who called the flooding catastrophic.
Rescue efforts include 14 helicopters, 12 drones, and more than 300 emergency responders. Many children were found clinging to trees or rooftops. Subdivisions, RV parks, and campgrounds were among the hardest hit.
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