Several girls at Christian camp unaccounted for after fatal Texas flooding

More than 20 campers at a Christian girls’ camp were unaccounted for Friday evening after major flash floods in central Texas. Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, is currently hosting roughly 750 campers total, Texas officials told reporters Friday.

The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office reported what it characterized as catastrophic flooding along the Guadalupe River Friday. The river rose sharply and by Friday morning had reached its second highest height on record, surpassing levels during the 1987 flood, according to the National Weather Service. The river rose 26 feet in a span of only 45 minutes, according to Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. At least 13 bodies had been recovered as of Friday evening, Kerr County Sheriff Larry L. Leitha told reporters at a Friday news conference. Children were among the deceased, as well as adults, Patrick said. The bodies had not been publicly identified as of Friday evening. Some of them were found inside cars that had washed down the river, according to Patrick. Leitha said there were still several people unaccounted for and he believed the death toll would increase.

What is being done to rescue the missing? Patrick said officials had 14 helicopters and 12 drones in the air, as well as nine rescue teams on the ground searching for those who are missing. Swimmers have already rescued adults and children out of trees, Patrick said. Camp Mystic is without power, water, and wireless internet access, Patrick said. The camp had already personally contacted parents of all children who had not been accounted for, according to Patrick. The lieutenant governor thanked members of the public who had already offered drones or personal helicopters to assist with the search, but said crews already had enough resources and urged them to stay away for safety reasons.