TEXAS — Rescue teams conducted frantic searches early Saturday for approximately two dozen missing children from a girls’ summer camp and many others following a catastrophic flash flood that swept through the Texas Hill Country, killing at least 24 people. Authorities warn that the death toll is likely to rise.

The floodwaters of the Guadalupe River surged 26 feet (8 meters) in just 45 minutes before dawn Friday, washing away homes, vehicles, and devastating the area.

Officials have issued flash flood warnings and watches for parts of central Texas, with additional heavy rainfall expected over the weekend.

Rescue operations have involved helicopters, boats, and drones to locate missing victims and evacuate those stranded.

Among the missing are around 24 girls who were attending Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp situated along the river.

The total number of people unaccounted for remains unclear.

Elinor Lester, 13, a camper at Camp Mystic, described the terrifying ordeal: “The camp was completely destroyed. A helicopter landed and started taking people away. It was really scary.” She recalled how rescuers helped campers cross a bridge by tying ropes for support as floodwaters surged around their legs.

At a news conference late Friday, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed 24 deaths, including children, and said about 240 people had been rescued.

The unexpected flooding struck on the Fourth of July holiday night, catching many residents, campers, and officials by surprise.

The Texas Hill Country, northwest of San Antonio, is a popular summer destination for camping and swimming.

Questions have emerged about the adequacy of warning systems and preparedness. Officials defended their response but acknowledged the intensity of the downpour far exceeded forecasts, which had predicted only three to six inches (76 to 152 millimeters) of rain.

Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, said, “It did not predict the amount of rain that we saw.”

Meteorologist Bob Fogarty from the National Weather Service’s Austin/San Antonio office noted a river gauge near Camp Mystic recorded a 22-foot rise in about two hours before it failed after reaching nearly 30 feet (9 meters).

“The water’s moving so fast, you’re not going to recognize how bad it is until it’s on top of you,” Fogarty said.

More than 1,000 rescue personnel have been deployed, with U.S. Coast Guard helicopters assisting. Several people have been rescued from trees and other precarious locations.

Erin Burgess from Ingram recounted her experience being swept by floodwaters while clinging to a tree with her teenage son.

“Thankfully he’s over 6 feet tall. That’s the only thing that saved me,” she said. Her boyfriend and dog were initially separated by the flood but were later found safe.

Other residents, like Matthew Stone of Kerrville, said they received no emergency alerts before the flood struck. “We got no emergency alert. There was nothing,” he said, describing the flood as a “pitch black wall of death.”

At reunification centers, families anxiously awaited news, some tearful, others relieved as loved ones were found. Barry Adelman shared how he and his family took refuge in their attic as floodwaters filled their home.

“I was having to look at my grandson in the face and tell him everything was going to be OK, but inside I was scared to death,” he said.

Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick stated that warnings were issued about heavy rain but emphasized uncertainty about exact locations. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly acknowledged the county lacks a formal warning system and admitted no one anticipated such an extreme flood.

The slow-moving storm system is expected to bring more heavy rain and flooding across central Texas through Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

Known locally as “flash flood alley” due to its steep, thin-soiled hills, the region’s terrain causes rainwater to rapidly run off rather than soak in, amplifying flood risks.

The Guadalupe River is a cornerstone of the local economy, supporting tourism and well-established summer camps that draw children nationwide. Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, expressed concern for the community’s future while coordinating relief efforts.

“It’s generally a very tranquil river with really beautiful clear blue water that people have been attracted to for generations,” Dickson said. — Agencies