July 4 Texas Flood Kills 24; 20 Girls Missing

At least 24 people were killed and a frantic overnight search continued for many others missing in the Texas Hill Country — including more than 20 from a girls' camp — after a storm unleashed nearly a foot of rain and sent floodwaters surging from the Guadalupe River, Hannah Fingerhut and Jim Vertuno reported for the Associated Press (AP).

The total number of missing persons remained unclear. I Photo: USCG Heartland X

The destructive force of the fast-rising waters just before dawn Friday washed out homes and swept away vehicles. Authorities said there were hundreds of rescues across Kerr County, including at least 167 by helicopter.

The total number of missing persons remained unclear, but the sheriff said between 23 and 25 of them were girls attending Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp along the river, The New York Times and The Washington Post also reported.

On social media, parents and families posted desperate pleas for information about loved ones caught in the flood zone.

“The camp was completely destroyed,” said 13-year-old Elinor Lester, one of hundreds of campers at Camp Mystic. “A helicopter landed and started taking people away. It was really scary.”

She said a raging storm woke her cabin around 1:30 a.m. Friday. When rescuers arrived, they tied a rope for the girls to hold onto as they crossed a bridge with floodwaters whipping around their calves and knees, Adrian Sanz, Hannah Schoenbaum, John O'Connor, and Susan Haigh also reported for AP.