Texas floods kill 24; over 20 girls missing after camp disaster
By : Krishna Mishra
Texas Flash Floods Kill 24, Over 20 Children Missing from Summer Camps
At least 24 people have died, and dozens remain missing, including over 20 children, after a devastating flash flood swept through Texas Hill Country early on Friday, July 4, following torrential rainfall of up to 10 inches in parts of Kerr County.
🌊 River Surges, Camps Affected
The Guadalupe River breached its banks, flooding homes and summer camps packed with children, prompting emergency water rescues throughout the region. The sudden surge left authorities scrambling without any warning system in place.
🚨 Rescue Operations Underway
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly confirmed the death toll and described the chaos, stating:
"Most of them, we don't know who they are… one of them was completely naked, he didn’t have any ID.
Rescue teams are using boats and helicopters to locate survivors, while families anxiously await news of their children attending nearby camps.
😢 Survivor Recounts Terrifying Escape
Local resident Erin Burgess, whose home sits across from the river, described the terrifying moment floodwaters entered her home:
“Water was coming in through the walls and doors. My son and I floated to a tree… my boyfriend and dog floated away. He was lost for a while, but we found them.”
⚠️ No Flood Alert System
In a critical revelation, officials admitted that Kerr County has no flood warning system, leaving residents with no advance notice of the disaster.
“We didn’t know this flood was coming,” Judge Kelly said.
🏕️ Summer Camps Devastated
Parents frantically reached out to summer camps along the river for updates. Camp Mystic called the situation "catastrophic" but confirmed they are in direct contact with affected families.
🌪️ Storm Havoc Across the US
The extreme weather wasn’t limited to Texas. New Jersey reported three deaths, including two men killed by a falling tree. In Plainfield, Independence Day celebrations were cancelled due to widespread damage. Parts of southern New England were also hit by hail, power outages, and dangerous road conditions.
🇺🇸 July 4 Protests Continue Nationwide
In parallel, anti-Trump protests expanded across major U.S. cities during Independence Day celebrations, as demonstrators voiced concerns over democratic values, recent court rulings, and the upcoming 2024 election.