Search and rescue teams spent Saturday combing through flood-ravaged riverbanks, uprooted trees, and overturned rocks in a desperate hunt for survivors after a catastrophic flash flood swept through the Texas Hill Country.
Flash floods in central Texas have killed at least 43 people, including 15 children, authorities said on Saturday as rescuers continued a frantic search for dozens more campers, vacationers and residents who were still missing.
Hardest hit was Camp Mystic, a nearly century-old girls camp, where dozens of young girls were swept away in the flood waters, leaving many dead and many more still missing. Among the missing are 27 children from Camp Mystic.
More than 36 hours after the deadly flood struck before dawn on Friday, authorities have not confirmed the total number of missing people.
The floodwaters rose with terrifying speed — surging over 26 feet (8 meters) in just 45 minutes — washing away cabins, vehicles, and parts of the camp in the early hours of the morning. Witnesses described hearing screams and seeing debris-strewn waves tear through the river valley.
Emergency crews, supported by helicopters, drones, and K-9 units, have been working nonstop, though the terrain remains treacherous and hopes for finding survivors are beginning to fade.
Families gathered at makeshift shelters, anxiously awaiting news. Many still do not know if their children have been found.
Governor Helena Sanders called the situation “a heartbreaking tragedy,” and declared a state of emergency across multiple counties in the region.
The National Weather Service confirmed that the storm responsible for the flash flood dumped record rainfall in the area overnight Thursday into Friday. Recovery efforts are expected to continue through the weekend.
