Texas Floods Kill 27, Campers Still Missing as Trump, Noem Respond

Local authorities confirmed Saturday that at least 27 people have died following sudden flash floods that tore through Texas Hill Country. According to the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office, the victims include 18 adults and nine children — with seven individuals yet to be formally identified.

The floodwaters surged after the Guadalupe River overflowed early Friday, submerging roads, homes, and summer camps. One of the hardest-hit areas was Camp Mystic, a Christian retreat for girls near Kerrville, where 27 campers remain missing. Friends and family members have turned to social media in a desperate search for any news.

“What we can’t yet determine is how many visitors or vacationers might have been in the region when the flood hit,” said Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice during a Saturday press briefing. “We’re still working to establish full counts of both residents and non-residents.”

Trump, Noem, and State Officials Activate Disaster Response

President Donald Trump expressed sympathy for affected families and praised first responders in a post on Truth Social. He also confirmed that Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem had been dispatched to coordinate federal efforts on the ground.

Secretary Noem provided multiple updates via social media, revealing that the U.S. Coast Guard has already saved or assisted in saving over 220 individuals in the flood zone.

• “In times of crisis, look for the helpers,” she wrote. “@USCG has saved or assisted in saving 223 lives.”
• “Our teams are flying through storms and evacuating flood victims through the night. This is what the U.S. Coast Guard does.” — Secretary Noem
• “We’ve activated FEMA and Coast Guard assets to provide every possible resource.” — Secretary Noem

Abbott Declares Disaster Across 15 Counties

Texas Governor Greg Abbott addressed the public at a press conference held in Kerrville, joined by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Sen. John Cornyn, Rep. Chip Roy, and other state officials. He announced a disaster declaration covering 15 counties, including Kerr, Bandera, Llano, Gillespie, Kendall, and Comal.

“This is a moment when Texans are coming together in prayer and in action,” Abbott said. “We are mobilizing every agency and resource to support search and rescue, and recovery.”

More than 1,000 state personnel have been deployed, along with hundreds of emergency vehicles and specialized response teams. The Texas State Operations Center has been elevated to Level II (Escalated Response) as storms continue in the region.

Additional information, maps, and safety updates are available through the Texas Disaster Portal.