Tragedy in Texas: Flash Floods Sweep Away Summer Camp, Leaving 24 Dead and Over 20 Children Missing

What began as a day of sunshine and song ended in tragedy after flash floods swept through a beloved summer camp in the Texas Hill Country, leaving at least 24 people dead and more than 20 children missing. The devastation has sent shockwaves through the community and prompted a massive search-and-rescue operation that continues into the weekend.

A Sudden Turn from Celebration to Catastrophe

On the morning of July 4, families across Texas were preparing for barbecues and fireworks. At Camp Havenwood, nestled along the usually calm Guadalupe River, hundreds of children had gathered for a week of crafts, canoeing, and campfire stories. But in the early hours of the day, a band of intense thunderstorms unleashed torrential rain across Kerr County, swelling the river faster than anyone could have anticipated.

Meteorologists recorded over 12 inches of rainfall in less than six hours, causing the Guadalupe to surge far beyond flood stage. At approximately 4:30 AM, riverbanks burst, and a wall of water swept through the camp, tearing apart cabins and inundating trails and recreational areas.

“We heard screaming and then saw cabins literally floating by,” said Jenna Morales, a camp counselor who helped rescue six children by hoisting them onto a dining hall roof. “We were standing in water up to our chests in minutes.”

Campers Among the Missing

As dawn broke, the full scope of the disaster began to unfold. Emergency responders arrived by air and boat, pulling survivors from trees, rooftops, and debris piles. But for many, it was already too late.

By Saturday morning, Kerr County authorities confirmed 24 fatalities, including staff and adult volunteers. Officials say the number could rise, with at least 21 children—aged 8 to 14—still unaccounted for.

Families rushed to the site upon hearing the news, many arriving to learn their children were safe—but others still wait in limbo. The camp has established a reunification center at a nearby church, where emotional scenes have played out between rescued campers and their desperate parents.

“I haven’t heard anything since Thursday night,” said Michael Price, whose 11-year-old daughter Mia was attending the camp for the first time. “No parent should ever have to endure this kind of silence.”

Search and Rescue: A Race Against Time

Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency in five counties and mobilized the National Guard, Texas Rangers, and over 100 local rescue workers. Helicopters equipped with infrared scanners, K-9 units, and search boats have combed through the debris and riverbanks.

Lieutenant Sarah Holden of the Texas Search and Rescue Task Force said the terrain posed significant challenges. “The floodwaters didn’t just submerge the camp—they changed the landscape. Trees were uprooted, roads vanished. We’re searching not just where the camp was, but where it might have ended up.”

As of Saturday night, over 60 people had been rescued, including several children found clinging to branches nearly two miles downstream.

A History Washed Away

Camp Havenwood has operated for nearly four decades, hosting thousands of children each summer. Built along a bend in the Guadalupe River, it was considered idyllic—offering outdoor education, community building, and a break from technology for city kids.

“This place was like magic,” said former camper and now volunteer Kelsey Tran, who returned this summer to mentor younger girls. “To see it destroyed like this—it feels like losing part of our childhood.”

Questions are beginning to swirl around the camp’s flood preparedness. While management says evacuation protocols were in place, critics argue that warnings from the National Weather Service were not acted upon quickly enough.

Climate Change and Catastrophe

Meteorologists are calling this flood “historic” not just for its deadly toll but for the sheer speed at which it developed. Experts say the storm was intensified by atmospheric conditions linked to a warming climate, with hotter air holding more moisture and releasing it in shorter, more intense bursts.

“Flash flooding like this is going to become more common,” said Dr. Layla Hart, a climate scientist at the University of Texas. “This was a 1-in-500-year event—until now. We’re likely to see more camps, towns, and cities facing similar risks unless infrastructure and planning adapt quickly.”

A Community United in Grief

Across Texas, communities are rallying to support those affected. Blood drives, food donations, and GoFundMe campaigns have popped up as locals ask what they can do. Churches have opened their doors to displaced families. Mental health professionals have volunteered to counsel children and parents dealing with trauma and loss.

President Taylor issued a statement from the White House, saying, “Our hearts break for the families who sent their children to camp with hope and joy, only to face unimaginable tragedy. We will support Texas every step of the way as it recovers.”

Hope Among the Ruins

Despite the heartbreak, stories of courage and resilience are emerging. Twelve-year-old Lily Cartwright tied herself to a tree with a jump rope and held on through the night. A team of counselors created a human chain to pull six girls to safety. And every few hours, news of another rescue lights a flicker of hope.

As searchers work tirelessly through mud and wreckage, the people of Kerr County hold their breath, pray, and wait.

“The river took so much,” said Morales, the counselor. “But we’re still holding on to each other. That’s how we get through.”