A devastating flash flood has struck the Texas Hill Country, causing widespread destruction and a rapidly climbing death toll. The tragedy has centered on a private girls’ camp situated along the Guadalupe River, where surging waters swept through the grounds with terrifying speed. Initial reports confirmed the deaths of young campers, a number that has sadly increased as emergency responders continue their exhaustive search efforts.
The catastrophic event unfolded after heavy tropical rains caused the Guadalupe River near Hunt, Texas, to rise dramatically. In just 45 to 90 minutes, the river surged by an unprecedented 26 to 30 feet, unleashing a destructive wall of water. This rapid and unexpected rise caught many by surprise, particularly those located in low-lying areas along the riverbanks.
Camp Mystic Impacted by Catastrophic Flood
Camp Mystic, a longtime Christian summer camp for girls in Hunt, Texas, bore the brunt of the flood’s fury. The camp had approximately 750 attendees present when the waters hit. While many campers were evacuated, a significant number were trapped or swept away as cabins near the river were inundated and destroyed. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with campers wading through rushing water and the camp itself left “completely destroyed.” Younger campers, typically housed closer to the river, were the most immediately vulnerable.
Tragically, several young lives were lost at the camp. Three young girls were among the first confirmed fatalities. Anne Hunt identified her daughter, Janie Hunt, as one of the deceased campers. The nonprofit A Voice for the Voiceless confirmed Renee Smajstrla was another victim. Later updates and reports from various sources tragically identified two additional campers among the confirmed deceased: Lila Bonner and Sarah Marsh. The family of a third initial victim requested privacy, and her name has not been publicly released. These young girls, some as young as eight or nine, were simply experiencing a summer at camp when disaster struck.
Death Toll Rises and Search Continues
The initial discovery of three deceased campers foreshadowed a much larger tragedy. Kerr County officials confirmed the overall death toll from the floods quickly escalated, reaching 27 people by Saturday morning. This number included 18 adults and nine children. As search efforts progressed into Saturday, some reports indicated the total fatalities had risen to 30 people, with 21 identified as adults. Among the adult victims identified was Jane Ragsdale, the director and co-owner of Heart O’ the Hills camp, located nearby. Her camp was not in session but she was on the property.
Alongside the confirmed deaths, the search for missing individuals became a critical priority. Initial estimates from the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office indicated between 23 and 25 campers were missing immediately after the flood. This number was later clarified to mean 27 total campers were unaccounted for from Camp Mystic. However, officials acknowledged that the total number of missing persons, including locals and visitors outside the camp, remained unknown and difficult to estimate accurately. Some parents, like Ellen Toranzo and Carrie Hanna, publicly shared that their daughters, Greta Toranzo and Hadley Hanna, were still missing as of Saturday afternoon.
Massive Response and Rescue Efforts
The scale of the disaster triggered a massive multi-agency response. State and federal resources were rapidly deployed to the affected areas. Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency for 15 counties, signaling the severity of the situation. Over 1,000 state responders and more than 800 vehicles and equipment assets were mobilized by the governor’s office.
Search and rescue operations were extensive, employing helicopters, boats, and drones to scour the flooded areas and riverbanks. The U.S. Coast Guard actively participated, reporting they had rescued or assisted in saving at least 223 people in central Texas. By Friday night, 237 people had been evacuated from flood-stricken areas, with 167 of those airlifted by helicopter. Total rescue numbers reported later on Saturday reached at least 858 people rescued from Kerr County, with eight individuals sustaining injuries. Rescuers faced challenges in a “very harsh environment,” examining debris collection points as part of their search strategy.
Witness Accounts and Community Response
Survivor accounts painted a vivid picture of the terrifying event. Thirteen-year-old camper Elinor Lester recounted waking up to the storm, navigating floodwaters with rescuers’ assistance, and being evacuated by helicopter from higher ground at the camp. She described the camp’s destruction firsthand. Other harrowing stories emerged, including one family who took refuge in their three-story home’s attic with elderly relatives and young children, attempting to comfort a nine-year-old while the house was submerged. Scenes at reunification centers showed emotional reunions between rescued individuals and anxious families, highlighting the human impact of the flood.
Reunification centers were quickly established at Ingram Elementary School and The Arcadia Live Theater in Kerrville to help connect families. Camp Mystic reportedly informed parents that if they hadn’t been contacted, their child was accounted for, though some parents with missing daughters contradicted this.
Local officials grappled with the unprecedented nature of the event. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly noted that the county lacked a warning system for the river and that officials “didn’t know this flood was coming,” despite the area’s history with flooding. He candidly called the Guadalupe River valley the “most dangerous river valley in the United States.” Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice provided updates on rescue numbers and missing persons during press conferences.
State and Federal Leadership Respond
High-level state and federal officials issued statements and offered support in the wake of the tragedy. Texas Governor Greg Abbott called the event an “extraordinary catastrophe” and asked for prayers, stating, “This is a time when we, as a state, need God more than ever.” Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick described the deaths as “shocking” and drew parallels to a similar devastating flood on the Guadalupe River in 1987 that killed ten teenagers.
From the federal level, President Donald Trump expressed condolences and confirmed his administration was working with Texas officials, calling the floods “shocking” and “a terrible thing.” He announced that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem would visit Texas. Vice President JD Vance offered prayers for the victims and their families, calling it “just an incomprehensible tragedy.”
Assistance and Historical Context
For families searching for missing loved ones, the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office recommended contacting the Red Cross hotline at 1-800-733-2767. A dedicated missing person line (830-258-1111) and email (floodrecovery@co.kerr.tx.us) were also provided by authorities. The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country was established as the primary channel for financial donations to support vetted local relief organizations. Officials advised against donating material goods or volunteering in the immediate aftermath due to the strong state response already in place.
This flood drew comparisons to the devastating 1987 Guadalupe River flood, which also involved rapid river rises and fatalities among young people from a camp, underscoring the long-standing flood risk in the region. The National Weather Service continued to issue warnings, noting that flash floods are among the nation’s top storm-related killers and forecasting ongoing threats in central Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people died in the Texas flood, including campers?
As of updates shortly after the flood event, the confirmed death toll from the Texas flood had reached 27 people, including nine children. Later reports indicated the total fatality count rose to 30. Among the deceased were several young girls who were campers at Camp Mystic, specifically identified as Janie Hunt, Renee Smajstrla, Lila Bonner, and Sarah Marsh, plus a third unnamed camper. Jane Ragsdale, a nearby camp director, was also confirmed among the adult fatalities.
Where were the missing campers from, and how many were unaccounted for?
The missing campers were primarily from Camp Mystic, an all-girls private Christian camp in Hunt, Texas. While the camp had 750 attendees, initial reports stated between 23 and 25 campers were missing. This figure was later clarified by officials to mean 27 total campers were unaccounted for from the camp. Search and rescue efforts continued, with officials also noting an unknown number of other individuals from the wider area remained missing.
What resources are available for families affected by the flood?
Reunification centers were set up at Ingram Elementary School in Ingram and The Arcadia Live Theater in Kerrville to connect families with rescued individuals. For those searching for missing loved ones, the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office directed calls to the Red Cross hotline (1-800-733-2767) and also provided a dedicated missing person line (830-258-1111) and email address (floodrecovery@co.kerr.tx.us). Financial donations to support local relief efforts were directed to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country.
Conclusion
The catastrophic flash flood in the Texas Hill Country has left a scar on the community, particularly impacting the families and attendees of Camp Mystic. The swift rise of the Guadalupe River resulted in tragic loss of life, including several young campers, and sparked a massive search and rescue operation. As officials continue to assess the damage and locate those still missing, the focus remains on supporting the affected families and understanding the full scope of this devastating natural disaster. The event serves as a somber reminder of the power of nature and the ongoing challenges faced by communities in flood-prone areas.
