A desperate search is underway for girls swept away at a summer camp during severe flooding in Texas, which is reported to have killed at least 24 people.
In less than an hour the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet (8 metres) with the flooding that followed in west-central Texas sweeping away mobile homes, vehicles and holiday cabins at locations where people were spending the July 4 weekend celebrating American Independence Day, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c15np18yy24t"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">reports</mark></a> the <em>BBC</em>.
It notes that the missing girls were with about 750 other children when their Christian summer camp was engulfed by the fast-moving waters.
Rescue efforts are being hampered by limited access to the area. Roads have been washed away and phones are down, making it difficult to contact and reach people.
The search and rescue operation involving helicopters and boats will continue until everyone has been accounted for, Texas officials have said. A state of emergency has been declared in several counties.
The <em>BBC</em> notes there was little warning of the floods. Officials say weather forecasts gave no indication that such a severe storm was moving into the area.
In a press conference on Friday afternoon, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick promised parents that “we will do everything humanly possible to find your daughter", <a href="http://Patrick said rescue efforts included 14 choppers, 12 drones, nine rescue teams as well as swimmers in the water — a total of 400 to 500 people on the ground."><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">reports</mark></a> <em>OSV News</em>.
He said that “20-some” girls attending the camp remained unaccounted for, later putting the figure at “about 23". He added that the missing girls “could be in a tree, they could be out of communication. We’re praying for all those missing to be found alive."
<em>OSV News</em> notes that the website of the summer camp – called Camp Mystic – states that the camp welcomes girls aged from 7 to 17 years old. The camp was established in 1926 and is described as being “nestled among cypress, live oak and pecan trees in the hill country of west-central Texas on the banks of the beautiful Guadalupe River".
Patrick said rescue efforts included 14 helicopters, 12 drones, nine rescue teams, along with swimmers in the water: a total of 400 to 500 people on the ground, <em>OSV News</em> reports.
<em>Photo: A man watches the rising water levels near his home along the Guadalupe River in the town of Comfort, Texas, 4 July 2025. (Photo by Eric Vryn/Getty Images.)</em>
.jpg)
