In a devastating turn of events, the recent storm that swept through Texas has resulted in the loss of at least 24 lives, with many others reported missing, including over 20 girls from a summer camp. This catastrophic flooding was triggered by the Guadalupe River overflowing its banks shortly before dawn on Friday, leading to extensive damage in Texas Hill Country.

The intense flash floods wreaked havoc on the region, destroying homes and sweeping away vehicles in what has been described as a chaotic early morning disaster. Officials in Kerr County reported that emergency services conducted hundreds of rescues, with at least 167 individuals being airlifted by helicopter as nearly a foot of rain fell in the area.

Among the missing individuals are girls who were attending Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp located along the banks of the Guadalupe River. The exact number of missing persons remains uncertain, but the sheriff indicated that between 23 and 25 campers have yet to be accounted for. This alarming situation has prompted families to take to social media, posting urgent pleas and desperate messages seeking information about their loved ones caught in the flood zone.

One of the campers, 13-year-old Elinor Lester, recounted her terrifying experience as the storm raged through their camp. “The camp was completely destroyed,” she said. Waking up amid the chaos around 1:30 am local time, she and her cabin mates were evacuated by rescuers who tied ropes to help them navigate the rapidly rising waters. “It was really scary,” she added, reflecting on the fear she felt as they crossed the bridge with floodwaters surging around their knees.

The flash flooding coincided with the Fourth of July holiday, catching many residents, officials, and campers off guard. As the situation unfolded, first responders worked tirelessly, scanning the banks of the Guadalupe River for individuals who may have been swept away. Local authorities have faced scrutiny over their emergency preparedness, although they defended their actions in light of the unexpected severity of the storm.

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed in a news conference late Friday that 24 fatalities have been documented, while authorities stated that a total of 237 people have been rescued from the floodwaters. Officials from the U.S. National Weather Service had initially forecasted only three to six inches of rain for the area, a gross underestimation that did not account for the extraordinary amount of precipitation that ultimately fell, according to Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management.