ROANOKE, Va. (WFIR) – July 6, 2025
At least 51 people are dead and 27 girls remain missing after catastrophic flooding tore through central Texas before dawn Friday, washing away a beloved summer camp along the Guadalupe River.
The disaster hit Camp Mystic, a century-old Christian girls’ camp in Kerr County, as floodwaters surged 26 feet in just 45 minutes. Officials said most of the victims were recovered at the camp, where at least 15 children were among the dead.
Rescuers continued searching Saturday using helicopters, drones and boats to comb the muck-filled landscape of mangled trees, overturned cars and debris.
“The camp was completely destroyed,” said 13-year-old camper Elinor Lester. She described helicopters lifting girls out as water whipped around their legs. “It was really scary.”
Questions over warnings
AccuWeather and the National Weather Service issued flood alerts hours beforehand, saying there was time to evacuate. Local officials called it a “once-in-a-century flood,” and acknowledged scrutiny over whether enough was done to warn residents and camps.
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said a proposed river warning siren system years ago was never implemented due to costs. “We know we get rains. We know the river rises. But nobody saw this coming,” he said.
Harrowing rescues
More than 850 people have been rescued since Friday. Some clung to trees overnight. In Ingram, one woman spent an hour holding onto a tree with her teenage son after water poured into their home. Another family took refuge in their attic, including a 94-year-old grandmother.
Local connections
While Virginia is not impacted by this weather system, many Roanoke families send children to Hill Country camps each summer. The area, known as “flash flood alley,” is especially popular around the Fourth of July holiday.
Gov. Greg Abbott has declared today a statewide day of prayer. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem pledged federal resources for continued search and recovery efforts.
How to help
The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country is accepting donations for victims at communityfoundation.net. Officials ask the public to avoid traveling to affected areas to keep roads clear for emergency crews.
“This is shifting from rescue to recovery,” Judge Kelly said. “That’s going to be a long, toilsome task.”
WFIRNews.com will continue to follow this developing story for updates affecting our listeners and local families.
