Multiple girls reported missing from a Christian summer camp swept away by heavy flooding in Texas have been found.
Twenty-three children were unaccounted for at Camp Mystic near the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas. The area was hit with torrential rainfall that caused the river to rise more than 20 feet in 90 minutes.
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The number of rescued girls remains unclear at this time. Based on images shared on social media, however, two girls were seen safe in a helicopter, and another nine or so were seen sitting at a fire station. Texas Game Wardens posted on X that they could get into the camp and start bringing campers out.
Some 750 summer campers were told to evacuate overnight as the area was hit with 10 inches of rain. The flash flooding washed away some of the young girls’ cabins.
Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls between ages 7 and 17, is almost a century old.
Earlier Friday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R-TX) revealed up to 500 rescue workers and 18 helicopters were searching the area for any survivors on top of 40 helicopters, 12 drones, and nine dive and rescue teams already deployed by the state. At least 13 people have been killed.
“Texas is providing all necessary resources to Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt and the entire Texas Hill Country dealing with these devastating floods,” Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) said in a statement. “The State of Texas today has mobilized additional resources in addition to the resources sent in preparation for the storms. I urge Texans to heed guidance from state and local officials and monitor local forecasts to avoid driving into flooded areas.”
Abbott is scheduled to hold a press conference in Kerrville, Texas, about the flooding and presumably the number of rescues made. It will start at 9 p.m. local time.
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Arriving on Independence Day, the natural disaster caused many holiday events and celebrations to be canceled in the affected areas.
President Donald Trump is in contact with Texas officials about the developing situation, Patrick said. Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) are also getting updates from state and local officials as the rescue and recovery operation continues.