Texas Flash Floods Kill 24, Over 20 Children Missing After Summer Camp Disaster

A devastating flash flood swept through Texas Hill Country on July 4, killing at least 24 people and leaving dozens more missing, including over 20 children attending summer camps near the Guadalupe River in Kerr County. The disaster struck in the early hours of Friday morning, following torrential rainfall of up to 10 inches in parts of the region.

The Guadalupe River surged far beyond its banks, inundating nearby neighborhoods and campsites with little to no warning. Emergency crews rushed to carry out water rescues as homes, roads, and entire campsites were swallowed by floodwaters.

Among the hardest-hit areas were summer camps filled with children. Parents scrambled for information as word spread of the rising waters. One of the camps, Camp Mystic, described the flooding as “catastrophic” and assured that families had been contacted directly. However, rescue operations remained ongoing, with many children still unaccounted for.

Judge Rob Kelly, Kerr County’s top elected official, confirmed the fatalities during a press conference. “Most of them, we don’t know who they are,” he said. “One of them was completely naked, he didn’t have any ID on him at all. We’re trying to get the identity of these folks, but we don’t have it yet.”

The tragedy was worsened by the absence of a flood warning system in the region. Judge Kelly admitted, “We do not have a warning system. We didn’t know this flood was coming.” The lack of advance notice left residents with little time to react, forcing many to flee their homes in the dead of night.

One resident, Erin Burgess, recounted her harrowing experience from the Bumble Bee Hills neighborhood near Ingram. “I woke up at 3:30 a.m. to thunder. It was raining pretty heavy, but no big deal,” she said. Within 20 minutes, her home was overtaken by water. “My son and I floated to a tree where we hung onto it, and my boyfriend and my dog floated away. He was lost for a while, but we found them,” she said tearfully.

The disaster in Texas came as storms also lashed parts of the East Coast. In New Jersey, at least three people died, including two men crushed by a falling tree. The city of Plainfield canceled its Independence Day celebrations, while power outages, hail, and treacherous road conditions were reported across southern New England.

In Texas, rescue teams continue to search for survivors, with hopes fading as hours pass. The July 4th flood has turned what should have been a day of celebration into a tragedy for many families—particularly those still waiting for news of their missing children.

IT.