Texas Floods Trigger Emergency as 23 Girls Reported Missing from Historic Mystic Summer Camp

Early Friday morning, intense and unexpected rain caused catastrophic flash flooding throughout Texas Hill Country, with at least 23 girls reported missing from Camp Mystic, a traditional all-girls Christian summer camp on the Guadalupe River.

Central Kerr County received more than 10 inches of rain over night, and the river rose spectacularly—22 feet in two hours.

A river gauge in the nearby town of Hunt measured a near 30-foot rise before it failed, as reported by the Associated Press. The storm cut off access roads, destroyed a local highway, and left the region without electricity, running water, or internet access.

Established in 1926, Camp Mystic has been a popular summer haven for many years, particularly among the families of Texas's power brokers. Describing itself on its official website as aiming to create "a wholesome Christian atmosphere in which young girls can develop outstanding personal qualities and self-esteem," campers are usually as young as third grade.

In a short message to parents this morning, the camp confirmed that it had suffered "catastrophic level floods" and that it was actively engaging with emergency services on search-and-rescue operations. The note also did mention severe constraints due to damage to infrastructure as well as communications breakdowns.

Rescue efforts were in high gear all day, with helicopters, boats, and unmanned aerial vehicles combing the area for survivors. One of the landmarks of the camp is a recreation building from the 1920s constructed of local cypress. Camp Mystic has a diverse range of activities—everything from archery and fishing to cheerleading, cooking, and sports programs.

The camp has been owned by Dick and Tweety Eastland since 1974. Both University of Texas at Austin alumni, the Eastlands were integrally involved with camp activities for many years before taking full ownership. The facility has been with the same family network since the 1930s.

While emergency workers extended their search for stranded campers, the complete extent of the flooding remained to be revealed. Officials warned that the continuing rise in water levels and washed-out roads presented serious dangers across the affected area.