Catastrophic floods inflict despair at a 'sanctuary' for girls in Texas' heartland
In the aftermath of the devastating floods that hit central Texas, a large-scale search and rescue operation is underway for more than two dozen girls who remain unaccounted for from Camp Mystic in Kerr County.
The Christian all-girls camp, located along the Guadalupe River, has suffered catastrophic flooding, resulting in a loss of power, water, and communication, which complicates search and rescue efforts. The camp was evacuated early Friday morning due to rising floodwaters, but the highway access was washed away, hindering additional reinforcements.
As of July 5, 2025, about 27 girls remain missing from Camp Mystic. Extensive search and rescue operations are underway using 14 state helicopters, 12 drones, game wardens, and 400 to 500 personnel on the ground. Authorities are using boats, drones, and helicopters in the search.
Several girls have been rescued, some found stranded in trees or other locations, but the fate of many others remains unknown. Families of missing campers have been contacted, and the community, including former campers, is actively sharing information and appeals on social media to aid in locating survivors. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has assured parents that authorities are doing "everything humanly possible" to find the missing children.
The flooding has caused catastrophic damage to the camp facilities, with the Heart O' the Hills camp, located alongside the Guadalupe River, sustaining "serious damage" and being unable to open for its second session, which was scheduled to start Sunday.
The tragedy has claimed the life of Jane Ragsdale, the camp director and co-owner of Heart O' the Hills camp. Over 1,000 local, state, and federal personnel are working tirelessly to find the missing campers.
In addition to the missing campers, at least 32 people have died in the flooding in the region, underscoring the severity of the disaster that has affected Camp Mystic and the surrounding areas.
President Donald Trump is working with state and local officials in Texas to address the devastating flooding, and first responder helicopters with infrared technology will be flying overnight in a continued effort to locate any potential rescue victims.
At nearby Camp La Junta, a 14-year-old camper woke up to flooding, but the parents of the camper were notified that their son was safe on Friday. The camp provides a "wholesome Christian atmosphere" and a haven where girls develop friendships, grow spiritually, and strive to "be a better person."
The current situation is a heart-wrenching reminder of the power of nature and the resilience of the human spirit as families, authorities, and the community continue their efforts to find the missing girls and bring them home safely.
- The community, including former campers of Camp Mystic, are using social media to share information and appeals, attempting to locate the missing girls and aide in their rescue.
- Alongside the search for the missing campers, over 32 lives have been lost in the flooding incident, highlighting the severity of the disaster affecting both Camp Mystic and the surrounding areas.
