Articles in this Cluster
05-07-2025
Flash floods in Texas rapidly raised the Guadalupe River by 26 feet in under an hour, killing at least 24 people and leaving up to 25 children missing from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp near Kerrville. The floods swept away homes, vehicles, and cabins over the 4 July weekend, prompting disaster declarations and a state of emergency across several counties. Search and rescue operations using helicopters, drones, and boats are ongoing amid washed-out roads and downed communications. Officials said the severity was not predicted by weather forecasts, and there is no local flood warning system. President Trump pledged federal assistance, and authorities urged non-residents to stay away from affected areas.
Entities: Texas, Guadalupe River, Camp Mystic, Kerrville, flash floods • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
05-07-2025
Torrential overnight flooding along the Guadalupe River inundated Camp Mystic, a nearly century-old Christian girls camp in Hunt, Texas, sweeping away cabins and triggering a massive search-and-rescue effort. As of Saturday evening, 27 campers were missing and at least 4 had been confirmed dead by their families; the broader regional flooding has killed at least 43 people, including 15 children. The river rose from about 7 to 29 feet in under two hours after heavier-than-forecast rains swelled its forks. More than 1,000 local, state, and federal personnel are involved, using boats, air support, and ground teams; over 850 people have been rescued statewide, some from trees. Officials vowed round-the-clock operations, noting some missing children could be out of contact rather than lost. Camp Mystic, founded in 1926 and hosting some 750 girls each season, was the only camp along the Guadalupe with people unaccounted for, authorities said. Families shared tributes for victims identified as Janie Hunt, Sarah Marsh, Lila Bonner, and Renee Smajstrla, while others await news of missing daughters, including Hadley Hanna, Lainey Landry, Greta Toranzo, and Blakely McCrory.
Entities: Camp Mystic, Guadalupe River, Hunt, Texas, Texas flooding, search-and-rescue operations • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
05-07-2025
Torrential rain triggered catastrophic flash flooding across central Texas, killing at least 50 people and sweeping through communities along the Guadalupe River. More than 20 girls from Camp Mystic remain missing as search and rescue teams continue operations; families of four campers have confirmed their deaths. Hundreds have been rescued or evacuated, many by helicopter. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s federal disaster declaration will be honored by the Trump administration to expedite aid. Photos show widespread devastation in Kerrville, Ingram, and nearby areas: overturned vehicles, destroyed cabins and RVs, downed trees, debris-choked bridges, and families reunited at emergency centers.
Entities: Texas, Guadalupe River, Camp Mystic, Greg Abbott, Trump administration • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
05-07-2025
- At least 24 people have died after torrential rain caused flash flooding across central Texas, with heavy rain expected to continue.
- More than 20 girls from Camp Mystic in Kerr County remain unaccounted for; officials stress that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re lost.
- Over 237 people have been rescued or evacuated, including many by helicopter; overnight searches using infrared-equipped aircraft are ongoing.
- The Guadalupe River rose over 20 feet in under two hours after a one-in-100-years rain event; Hunt received about 6.5 inches in three hours.
- Officials said the rainfall exceeded forecasts; flash flood warnings escalated early Friday.
- Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for multiple central Texas counties; federal support was pledged by President Donald Trump.
Entities: Texas, Camp Mystic, Kerr County, Guadalupe River, Greg Abbott • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
05-07-2025
A sudden flash flood at Camp Mystic in Kerr County, Texas, sent the Guadalupe River rising over 20 feet in under two hours, leaving more than 20 girls unaccounted for. CNN’s Ed Lavandera reports on the aftermath and ongoing search efforts as authorities and families continue looking for the missing amid widespread storm damage.
Entities: Camp Mystic, Kerr County, Texas, Guadalupe River, Ed Lavandera • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
05-07-2025
At least 27 people, including nine children, were killed after torrential rains triggered rapid flash flooding along the Guadalupe River in Texas Hill Country, sweeping away homes, vehicles, and a riverside Christian summer camp, Camp Mystic. More than two dozen campers and others remain missing as over 1,000 rescuers use helicopters, boats, and drones to search amid ongoing rain and flash-flood alerts. Officials say about 850 people have been rescued. Authorities face scrutiny over warnings and preparedness after forecasts signaled flood risk; they contend the rainfall intensity far exceeded expectations. State and federal assistance is being deployed as families await news of loved ones.
Entities: Texas Hill Country, Guadalupe River, Camp Mystic, flash flooding, rescuers • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
05-07-2025
Catastrophic flash floods hit Texas Hill Country early Friday, with the Guadalupe River rising up to 26–30 feet in under an hour. At least 32 people died (14 children, 18 adults), 27 girls from Camp Mystic and others remain missing, and over 850 people have been rescued, including 100+ airlifted. State emergency resources were activated Wednesday amid forecasts of possible flooding; the National Weather Service escalated from watch to warning overnight into Friday, issuing a rare flash flood emergency before dawn. Local officials cited rapidly exceeding rainfall, limited river alarms, and difficult evacuation trade-offs in an area with low-water crossings and camp shelter-in-place plans. Leaders urged focus on rescue efforts while debate grew over forecasting limits and potential impacts of federal cuts to weather agencies.
Entities: Texas Hill Country, Guadalupe River, National Weather Service, Camp Mystic, flash flood emergency • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
05-07-2025
Flash floods in Texas Hill Country killed at least 43 people, including 15 children, with dozens still missing, notably 27 girls from a summer camp along the Guadalupe River. Officials have rescued more than 850 people, deploying over 500 responders and 14 helicopters, with search-and-rescue ongoing but expected to shift to recovery. Gov. Greg Abbott expanded a state disaster declaration and requested federal aid; power and communications remain down in some areas. The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in 45 minutes amid extreme rainfall, with more rain possible. Authorities warn the death toll may rise. Experts link the intense “rain bomb” to a moist tropical air mass and note climate change is increasing extreme downpours.
Entities: Texas Hill Country, Guadalupe River, Greg Abbott, NPR, flash floods • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
05-07-2025
A catastrophic flash flood along the Guadalupe River in Texas has raised the death toll to 51, including 15 children, with Kerr County hardest hit. Multiple young victims from Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ summer camp, were identified, including Renee Smajstrla, Sarah Marsh, Janie Hunt, Lila Bonner, and Eloise Peck, while more campers remain unaccounted for. Camp Mystic’s director, Dick Eastland, died attempting rescues; Jane Ragsdale, director of nearby Heart O’ the Hills Camp, also perished. Officials reported at least 858 rescues and several injuries, with other area camps isolated but accounted for. The river rose 26 feet in 45 minutes, destroying cabins and triggering large-scale search and recovery efforts as families mourn and await updates.
Entities: Guadalupe River, Kerr County, Camp Mystic, Heart O’ the Hills Camp, Dick Eastland • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
05-07-2025
Severe overnight flooding in Central Texas, driven by underestimated storm forecasts, killed at least 24 people and left up to 25 others missing, many of them girls from Camp Mystic along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County. Hundreds of rescuers, including the Texas National Guard, conducted around-the-clock operations, performing 237 rescues and evacuations amid downed power lines, flooded roads, and poor cell service. Officials issued “particularly dangerous situation” flash flood warnings early Friday as rivers rapidly rose. Governor Greg Abbott declared an emergency for 15 counties, activating federal assistance from FEMA and the Coast Guard as searches continued.
Entities: Central Texas, Guadalupe River, Kerr County, Camp Mystic, Texas National Guard • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
05-07-2025
At least 52 people have died and dozens remain missing after catastrophic flash floods swept Central Texas, with Kerr County—home to the Guadalupe River and Camp Mystic—suffering the worst losses, including 15 children among 43 dead. Two dozen campers are unaccounted for as rescuers race against time amid continued flood watches and more heavy rain forecast. Victims include young campers and a 27-year-old man who died helping his family escape a trailer. Gov. Greg Abbott called the camp devastation unprecedented and vowed to continue search efforts. The disaster has raised questions about preparedness and communication: Kerr County lacks a flood warning system, and key National Weather Service roles in regional offices were vacant during the storm, complicating coordination even as officials defend the quality of forecasts given the storm’s rapid escalation.
Entities: Kerr County, Guadalupe River, Camp Mystic, Gov. Greg Abbott, National Weather Service • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
