Texas Hill Country was gripped by tragedy Friday as at least six people were confirmed dead and over 20 girls attending a summer camp, Camp Mystic, were reported missing after a deluge of rain—equivalent to several months’ worth—fell within hours, triggering devastating flash floods.
There were 700 girls at Camp Mystic at the time of the flash flooding.
“If you have not been personally contacted, then your daughter has been accounted for,” Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said. “I want to repeat that. This is not from the state, not from the government. This is from the camp [Mystic] director on the ground.”
Patrick said there are between 400-500 search and rescue personnel on the ground in the Hill Country during a Friday afternoon press conference. He said there are 14 helicopters and 11 drones in the air.
Patrick continued, “I’m asking the people of Texas to do some serious praying this afternoon — on your knees kind of praying — that we find these young girls and that they’re only unaccounted for because they’re somewhere that we don’t know yet but that they’re alive and safe.”
“If they’re alive and safe, we will find them and bring them home to you, so please pray for these families tonight.”
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says around 20 campers are still unaccounted for after catastrophic flooding at Camp Mystic in Kerr County. Emergency crews continue search and rescue efforts. pic.twitter.com/tuT0LA88Kz
— KPRC 2 Houston (@KPRC2) July 4, 2025
What to Know About Camp Mystic
Camp Mystic, nestled along the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas, is a private Christian summer camp for girls aged 7 to 17. Established in 1926 by University of Texas coach E.J. “Doc” Stewart, the camp has long been a cherished retreat in the Texas Hill Country. Campers participate in a variety of activities, including archery, kayaking, drama, and spiritual development, according to its website. The camp operates multiple sessions throughout the summer, including two- and four-week terms at both its original Guadalupe River site and the newer Cypress Lake campus.
‘Catastrophic’ Texas Flooding Triggers Massive Rescue Response
Earlier on Friday, search teams launched urgent boat and helicopter rescues amid fast-moving waters that overwhelmed communities along the Guadalupe River.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick stated that between six and ten bodies had been recovered during the frantic search, while Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha, speaking at a concurrent news conference, reported the death toll had risen to 13 in his county alone.
The flooding was fueled by more than 10 inches of overnight rain in central Kerr County, prompting desperate calls from families seeking updates on missing loved ones.
Teams conducted dozens of rescues, and emergency responders continued to search for those who were unaccounted for.
Comments on a Facebook post from the Kerr County sheriff’s office were riddled with photos of people in the flood zone. Loved ones posted there, hoping someone could offer an update on the whereabouts of those they hadn’t heard from. One woman said she couldn’t reach her daughter, who had rented a cabin in Hunt for her husband and two children and pleaded for someone to post the names of those already evacuated.
Judge Rob Kelly, the county’s top elected official, confirmed that the flooding had resulted in multiple fatalities and numerous water rescues. He noted that officials are still in the process of identifying the victims and said he had been advised against releasing specific numbers at this stage.
“Most of them, we don’t know who they are,” Kelly said during a news conference. “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.”
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
Update: 7/4/25, 5:42 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with new information and remarks.
Update: 7/4/25, 5:50 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with new information.
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