Texas Flash Flood Kills 51, Sparks Outrage Over Warning Failures

A flash flood in Kerr County, Texas, has killed at least 51 people, including 15 children, and left search crews scrambling to find up to 20 missing girls from Camp Mystic, south of Kerrville. The flood developed into a deadly catastrophe in just 45 minutes, sweeping through roads and homes on July 4.

The camp, which housed 750 girls, is currently without WiFi, water, or electricity. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick urged calm, stating that the missing children may simply be out of communication rather than truly lost.

Viral video footage has emerged showing just how quickly the Guadalupe River overflowed. A timelapse posted to Twitter shows a peaceful road becoming a raging river in minutes. Another video posted on TikTok by @kelseycrowder_ shows a family near the Frio River as floodwaters rise dramatically between 5:43 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.

Criticism has grown over the failure to alert residents in time. Commenters on social media expressed outrage over the reported discontinuation of the National Weather System’s flood warning services and alleged budget cuts.

Some viewers criticized the family in the video for not evacuating sooner, while others were stunned at how rapidly the water rose. A helicopter seen flying overhead near the video’s end raised speculation about delayed emergency responses.

Governor Greg Abbott has signed an extended emergency declaration, and the National Weather Service has since issued updated flood advisories across Texas. The search and recovery efforts continue.