A desperate search-and-rescue mission continued Saturday along the Guadalupe River in Texas Hill Country, the United States, where devastating floods have killed around 50 people, including 15 children.
Officials warned the death toll could rise, as dozens remain missing. One summer camp alone reported 27 girls unaccounted for as of late Saturday.
Scenes of anguish unfolded across Kerrville and surrounding towns. Parents rushed to the riverbanks to search for their children, while reunification centers filled with emotional families.
At news conferences, local officials struggled to hold back tears. “People need to know, today will be a hard day,” said Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr., his voice breaking.
Rescue crews pressed on in dangerous conditions. Rain continued to fall as first responders searched by helicopter, drone, boat, and foot.
“We are literally walking every inch of the Guadalupe,” said Sgt. Jonathan Lamb of the sheriff’s office. “We’re not going to stop until we find and return every missing person.”
Though still considered a rescue effort, authorities braced for worsening news. “The grief is probably going to be just about more than we can bear,” Lamb admitted. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly described a grim morning spent at a funeral home where parents identified their children, some too waterlogged for fingerprint identification. “When you see that many small body bags, it’s just, I can’t even begin to explain it,” he said.
Still, there were stories of hope. Over 850 people have been rescued so far, some found clinging to trees or floating on mattresses.
The flooding began early Friday, as nearly 2 trillion gallons of rain hit a region crowded with holiday campers. The Guadalupe River rose from 7 to 29 feet in just hours, sweeping through homes, parks, and RV sites.
Known as “Flash Flood Alley,” Texas Hill Country’s terrain accelerates water runoff, but the storm’s severity caught many off guard. Although meteorologists had issued early warnings, the most urgent alerts came overnight. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem criticized the outdated alert system, while the Weather Service insisted locals had several hours’ notice.
Some questioned the government’s preparedness, but Rep. Chip Roy urged an end to “finger-pointing,” insisting all levels of government were responding with urgency. Judge Kelly, who lives on the river, said the storm’s scale was unimaginable. “We know we get rains… But nobody saw this coming.”
At an RV park outside Kerrville, owner Lorena Guillen tried to warn tenants but received no clear evacuation guidance. She later pulled residents to safety as floodwaters engulfed the site. “There was no warning,” she said. Six of her tenants are missing, and one employee, Julian Ryan, died after injuring himself while saving his family.
The flooding affected several summer camps, including Camp Mystic, where more than 700 children were staying. Eight-year-old Renee Smajstrla was among the victims, her family posting a tribute online: “She will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic.” Camp director Richard Eastland also died while trying to save three young campers. “Dick died doing what he loved,” said former staffer Craig Althaus.
Longtime firefighter Stuart Gross, who evacuated his own riverside home, said he never received alerts. He recalled neighbors hearing the cries of stranded children. “The screams of children they couldn’t reach,” he said. “You can’t stop Mother Nature.” Cell service was spotty, and families turned to social media to search for loved ones.
Sheriff Larry Leitha urged patience: “I can’t tell you how long it’s going to take, it’s going to take a while.” At a reunification center, some parents were reunited with children from nearby Camp Waldemar, where all were safely evacuated. Kathleen McGrath, waiting for her daughter Erin, a counselor, said: “I just want to hug her.”
Survivors shared harrowing escape stories, often on social media. In San Angelo, Rachel Sanchez posted a video from inside her flooding home, where her father lay in hospice care.
“We’ve lost our cars, everything,” she said. “Anybody, please, if you have a boat or something, I need help.” After repeated 911 calls, she and her family were rescued.
