US rescue efforts underway for missing girls after deadly Texas floods

Rescuers searched Saturday for 27 girls missing from a riverside summer camp in Texas after torrential rains caused devastating floods that killed at least 27 people — with more rain expected.

“We’ve evacuated over 850 uninjured people, eight injured, and recovered 27 fatalities,” said Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha, noting that nine children were among the dead.

Hundreds joined the rescue, including helicopter teams. “We will not stop till every single person is found,” Leitha said.

The flooding began Friday as months' worth of rain fell within hours, causing the Guadalupe River to rise 26 feet in 45 minutes.

The National Weather Service warned of more “locally catastrophic” flash floods. In Kerrville, the swollen Guadalupe River carried debris through the city.

“It rained in a day what it usually rains in a year,” said resident Gerardo Martinez. “Cars, whole houses were going down the river.”

Flash floods are common, but scientists say human-driven climate change is making them more intense.

On Saturday, officials said 27 girls from Camp Mystic were still missing. US media reported two of them were confirmed dead. The site was devastated, with shattered windows and belongings scattered.

Michael, searching for his 8-year-old daughter, said he had found some of her items in the cabin where she was meant to be.

Nearby, Heart O’ The Hills camp confirmed its director Jane Ragsdale was among the dead.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a disaster declaration, and President Donald Trump promised federal support.

Rescuers faced “very difficult” conditions, said Kerrville official Dalton Rice, urging people not to attempt their own searches. Officials couldn’t confirm the total number missing.

Videos showed homes and trees swept away by the flood, which brought up to 12 inches of rain — a third of the area’s yearly average.

Abbott posted video of a victim being rescued from a tree. Local resident Soila Reyna said, “It has been years since we had a flood, but nothing like this.”

Martinez added, “There is a saying here that there's a flood every hundred years. We had it.”

Mayor Joe Herring urged unity. “People need to know today will be a hard day,” he said, choking up.