Texas floods kill at least 24, with 23 young girls still missing from a Christian summer camp

Panicked parents in the US are praying for their children, with at least 24 people dead and a further 23 young girls missing.

At least 20 girls are missing from a riverside summer camp after torrential rain caused a “catastrophic” flash flood that killed at least 24 people in the US state of Texas.

The flooding occurred today across much of central Texas, most devastatingly at a Christian summer camp for girls, Camp Mystic, which is located next to the Guadalupe River.

The camp, which hosts up to 750 girls, was brutally affected by the floodwaters, which at one point saw the river swell by eight metres in just 45 minutes.

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said on Friday local time (Saturday, Australian time) between 23 and 25 people were unaccounted for and Lieutenant Governor Patrick previously said “about 23” girls attending a summer camp in the flooded Kerr County were missing.

A director and co-owner of a separate girls camp along the Guadalupe River called Heart O’ the Hills has died. That camp was not in session at the time of the flooding.

The flooded Guadalupe River in Kerrville, Texas. Picture: Eric Vryn/Getty Images via AFP

Damage caused by the floodwaters. Picture: Michel Fortier/SA Express-News via AP

The bodies of both adults and children have been retrieved by emergency responders, and a couple hundred people have been evacuated.

“Within 45 minutes, the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet and it was a destructive flood, taking property and sadly lives,” Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, filling in for the holidaying Governor Greg Abbott, said during a news conference.

He said the area had copped about 12 inches (300 millimetres) of rain per hour.

There are more than 700 emergency responders on the ground, and in the air, searching for survivors and those in need of aid. They’re being helped by 14 helicopters and 12 drones.

“That does not mean they’ve been lost,” Mr Patrick said of the missing girls, saying everyone was “praying for them to be found alive”.

“They could be in a tree, they could be out of communication.”

Camp Mystic says it has informed the parents of all the missing children.

Emergency responders searching along the river. Picture: Christopher Lee/The San Antonio Express-News via AP

A Black Hawk helicopter searching for anyone in need of help. Picture: Eric Vryn/Getty Images via AFP

The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office has now updated its death toll to 24, and that may well rise even further.

“It’s going to be a massive casualty event,” said Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety Freeman Martin.

During the media conference, Mr Patrick made a promise to the parents of the missing children from Camp Mystic.

“If they are alive and safe, we will find them and bring them home to you,” he said.

“We will do everything humanly possible 24/7, looking in every tree turning over every rock.”

Virginia Hollis was among the children staying at Camp Mystic.

Kellyanne Lytal.

Lainey Landry.

Eloise Peck and Lila Bonner.

Hadley Hannah.

Renee Smajstrla.

Janie Hunt.

Surviving children will be evacuated from the camp.

The camp is currently without power or internet. A statement from its administrators, read out by the Lieutenant-Governor, stressed that the level of flooding was “catastrophic”.

“The highway has washed away, so we are struggling to get more help,” the camp said.

The communications problems are being exacerbated by the camp’s rule of imposing a ban on technology for the children staying there.

“Technology is actually not allowed there,” said NewsNation reporter Tracy Walder, whose daughter is friends with some of the missing kids.

“That’s why communication and information is kind of a bit difficult to come by.”

Mr Abbott, in a written statement, said Texas was “providing all necessary resources to Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt and the entire Texas Hill Country dealing with these devastating floods”.

“The state of Texas today has mobilised additional resources in addition to the resources sent in preparation for the storms. I urge Texans to heed guidance from state and local officials and monitor local forecasts to avoid driving into flooded areas.”

A man surveys damage left by the floodwaters. Picture: Eric Gray/AP

And two employees from a campervan park look over the area from which dozens of trailers had been swept away. Picture: Michel Fortier/The San Antonio Express-News via AP

One of Texas’s senators, Ted Cruz, asked his followers on social media to “pray right now” for all involved, “especially Camp Mystic”.

“It’s terrible, the floods,” US President Donald Trump told reporters Friday night. “It’s shocking.”

Asked if Texas would receive federal aid, he said: “Oh yeah, sure, we’ll take care of it. We’re working with the governor.”

Meanwhile, officials are warning residents of the area to continue being vigilant.

“The rain has let up, but we know there’s another wave coming,” Mr Martin said, adding that more rain would be hitting areas around the cities San Antonio and Austin.

Forecasters issued a flood warning for one county, urging those living near the Guadalupe River to “move to higher ground”.

Flash floods, which occur when the ground is unable to absorb torrential rainfall, are not unusual in the region.

– with AFP

Originally published as Texas floods kill at least 24, with 23 young girls still missing from a Christian summer camp