Rescue operations continued overnight in Texas after catastrophic floods on Friday left at least 27 people dead, Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said during a press conference on Saturday morning.
Among the deceased are 18 adults and nine children, according to Rice.
At least 27 girls remain missing from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp, along the Guadalupe River, he said, adding that they will not release a list of names for the girls who are missing out of privacy concerns for the families.
Rice said there were already 18 girls from the camp reunited with their families, with an additional four reunifications ongoing.
Local and federal agencies have deployed more than 1,000 personnel to search for survivors and respond to the flooding, which has devastated communities along the river, particularly Kerrville and Ingram.
Why It Matters
Months’ worth of rainfall fell within just a few hours in Texas’ Hill Country on Friday, overwhelming riverfront communities and forcing emergency teams to evacuate children’s summer camps threatened by rising water.
In central Kerr County, up to 10 inches of rain inundated the area overnight, causing the Guadalupe River to swell rapidly and overflow its banks, sparking widespread flash flooding.
The flooded area lies about 60 miles northwest of San Antonio.
The flooding has exposed the vulnerability of Texas to extreme weather events and raised urgent questions about warning systems and disaster preparedness for communities and summer camps.
What To Know
Helicopters, boats, drones, and ground crews have collectively rescued hundreds of people and performed over 160 airlifts, with numbers expected to rise as operations continue.
“Search and rescue operations are continuously ongoing,” Rice said, adding that people are being found in trees or high grounds.
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is providing critical support, airlifting dozens out of isolated areas and assisting with ongoing searches for the missing, including the girls from Camp Mystic.
Rice said water levels in many areas are beginning to recede but warned that the situation remains dangerous for those still unaccounted for.
“The unknown is how many people were here,” Rice explained, saying they had a count of people at local campgrounds but didn’t have an exact number for how many people were visiting the area at the time of the flooding.
Rice said road damage is complicating rescues of people who are isolated.
Rice said more than 1,000 boots were on the ground, including local and federal responders. Members of Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Border Patrol, Texas Game Wardens, and the USCG, are engaged in around-the-clock search and rescue efforts.
As water levels begin to recede, authorities caution against personal search efforts, citing continuing hazards and the coordinated efforts by professionals. Meanwhile, specialized equipment, including heat-sensing devices, remain deployed.
AP Photo/Eric Gay
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday: “The Trump Administration is working with State and Local Officials on the ground in Texas in response to the tragic flooding that took place yesterday. Our Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, will be there shortly. Melania and I are praying for all of the families impacted by this horrible tragedy. Our Brave First Responders are on site doing what they do best. GOD BLESS THE FAMILIES, AND GOD BLESS TEXAS!”
Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. said during a press conference: “People need to know today will be a hard day. It will be a hard day.”
Dalton Rice, Kerrville city manager, said at Saturday’s press briefing: “The unknown is how many people were here locally that we don’t have numbers for. Numbers are going to change.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Tonight, I signed a disaster declaration to ensure local officials have the resources to continue to respond to floods in the Hill Country. Texas will stop at nothing to ensure every missing person is fully accounted for.”
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said during a news conference on Friday night: “I’m asking the people of Texas, 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.”
What Happens Next?
Rescue and search operations are expected to continue through the weekend as authorities attempt to account for all missing individuals and provide updates on reunification.
State and federal assistance will remain active in Kerr County and surrounding areas, with dedicated centers supporting displaced residents.
Community members are encouraged to consult city channels for guidance on aid and remain clear of hazardous zones while professional teams finish their work.
Those who want to help are encouraged to go to the Kerrville City Facebook page for more information.
Update 7/5/25 12:26 p.m. ET This story has been updated to include more information.
