After the Guadalupe River burst its banks, flash floods destroyed Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp in Hunt, Texas – and new photos show the extend of destruction on the site
Harrowing pictures have emerged of the Texas summer camp where girls were tragically swept to their deaths in devastating floods.
The Guadalupe River burst its banks early on Friday after heavy rain as destructive fast-moving waters rose 26ft (8m) in just 45 minutes, washing away homes and vehicles. The floods hit Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp along the river in Hunt, which was «completely destroyed» according to 13-year-old Elinor Lester, one of hundreds of campers.
She said: «The camp was completely destroyed. A helicopter landed and started taking people away. It was really scary.» Dalton Rice, City Manager of Kerville, said some 27 children were among the missing from the camp.
READ MORE: Texas flooding LIVE: At least 50 people killed and 27 children still missing from Camp Mystic
In their latest update, officials said the floods killed at least 32 people, including 14 children. Five adults and three children remain unidentified as the search for missing people continues.
Heartbreaking images have now emerged, showing that the side of the camp was completely ripped apart by the floods. Beds and blankets of the campers can be seen covered in a thick sludge, with belongings including bags, toys and clothing strewn across the floor.
Photos also show the roof of a building sagging and pieces of jagged wood beneath it. Nearby trees were also knocked down by the force of the water.
After Friday’s floods, frantic parents and families posted photos of missing loved ones and pleas for information. On Saturday, the camp was mostly deserted with helicopters roaring above it as a few people looked at the damage, including a pickup truck tossed onto its side and a building missing its entire front wall.
Among those confirmed dead were an eight-year-old girl from Mountain Brook, Alabama, who was staying at Camp Mystic, and the director of another camp just up the road. The flooding in the middle of the night caught many residents, campers and officials by surprise in the Hill Country, which sits northwest of San Antonio.
AccuWeather said the private forecasting company and the National Weather Service sent warnings about potential flash flooding hours before the devastation. «These warnings should have provided officials with ample time to evacuate camps such as Camp Mystic and get people to safety,» AccuWeather said in a statement that called the Hill Country one of the most flash-flood-prone areas in the US because of its terrain and many water crossings.
Officials defended their actions while saying they had not expected such an intense downpour, which was the equivalent of months’ worth of rain for the area. One National Weather Service forecast earlier in the week «did not predict the amount of rain that we saw,» said Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
At least 400 people were on the ground helping in the response after the floods, Texas Gov. Dan Patrick said. Nine rescue teams, 14 helicopters and 12 drones were being used, with some people being rescued from trees.
After the tragic flooding, US President Donald Trump shared a statement on his social media platform, Truth Social. He said: «The Trump Administration is working with State and Local Officials on the ground in Texas in response to the tragic flooding that took place yesterday.
«Our Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, will be there shortly. Melania and I are praying for all of the families impacted by this horrible tragedy. Our Brave First Responders are on site doing what they do best. GOD BLESS THE FAMILIES, AND GOD BLESS TEXAS!»
Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz has said he is praying for the flood victims in the Lone Star State. In a statement shared to X, he wrote: «Heidi and I are lifting up the victims of the central Texas floods in our prayers. Listen to the warnings and instructions of local law enforcement.»
