At least 43 individuals, including 15 kids, were killed in devastating flash floods that wreaked havoc in several areas of central Texas, officials reported on Saturday (local time). Rescue efforts are continuing to search for dozens of other people reported missing, including 27 girls attending a popular summer camp close to the Guadalupe River. Catastrophe struck on Friday morning when a sudden storm dropped as much as 15 inches (38 cm) of rain in hours along the Guadalupe River, north of San Antonio. The rain triggered a sudden increase in river levels cresting at 29 feet (9 meters) in less than an hour, destroying homes, cars, and campsites along its course. "This is half a year's worth of rain, falling in a matter of hours," Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said.

Search and rescue operations are underway in Kerr County and other places hit by the flash flooding, including Travis, Kendall, and Burnet counties. Helicopters, boats, and drones are being used to try and find missing individuals and rescue stranded survivors. So far, more than 850 people have been rescued, including campers plucked from rooftops and trees. A firefighter in Burnet County is also missing after being swept away during a rescue attempt.

Camp Mystic Devastated

One of the worst-hit sites is Camp Mystic, a nearly century-old Christian girls’ camp that had 700 campers present at the time. Officials say 27 girls are still unaccounted for. Within the camp, mud lines on cabins indicate water marks at six feet high. Shattered windows, destroyed walls, and upturned beds indicate the strength of the floods. In the vicinity, Heart O' the Hills, a second girls' camp, also confirmed the passing of co-owner Jane Ragsdale but indicated no campers were present since the camp was in the off-season.

Flooding also struck Travis County, home to the state capital city, Austin, and killed at least three and left 10 missing. Kendall and Burnet counties both reported further casualties and widespread devastation. In Comfort, a downstream town from Camp Mystic, huge trees were uprooted and roads were blocked by massive debris. Videos on social media show entire homes reduced to bare concrete slabs and wreckage lining riverbanks.

PM Modi, Trump Offer Condolences

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the tragedy. "Deeply saddened to know about loss of lives, particularly children, due to the calamitous floods in Texas. Our sympathies to the US Government and the affected families," he posted on X. US President Donald Trump stated that he and First Lady Melania were praying for victims, applauding the response of first responders. Texas Governor Greg Abbott requested a federal disaster declaration to unblock emergency aid. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem attested to honoring the request.

ALSO READ: Texas Families Beg For Answers: 23 Girls Go Missing After Devastating Flood At Summer Camp Mystic

 

The authority indicated National Weather Service's "moderate" flood warning issued a day earlier did not accurately assess the storm's strength. Critics blame staff reductions in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for reducing forecasting capacity. "This warning failure cost lives," declared Rick Spinrad, former Director of NOAA. "Budget reductions and staffing shortages naturally affect our capacity to provide timely and accurate forecasts," he added.

ALSO READ: Texas Flash Flood: 24 Dead, 23 Children Still Missing From Summer Camp After Guadalupe River Swells

While the flash flood crisis has dissipated in Kerr County, further rain may impact surrounding communities over the weekend, forecasters say. A flood watch is ongoing for central Texas through 7 p.m. local time. Residents and tourists are advised to steer clear of floodwaters and monitor emergency alerts as rescue operations continue.