“The height the rushing water reached to the top of cabins was shocking. We won’t stop until we find every girl who was in those cabins.”
Tragically, at least four girls from Camp Mystic have been found dead, adding to the heartbreak gripping Texas families.
Despite the catastrophic flooding, there are glimmers of hope as rescuers continue heroic operations across a 100-mile swath of Texas. More than 850 people in Kerr County alone have been rescued, according to emergency management officials. In some of the most heavily damaged zones, 300 individuals had to be airlifted from submerged campsites, RV parks, and remote riverbanks.
The force of the floods was staggering. In certain spots, the Guadalupe River surged over 20 feet in just two hours, submerging entire communities before receding back toward normal levels by Sunday morning. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data confirm that river gauges have largely dropped to pre-flood levels, but the aftermath remains devastating.
Yet amid tragedy, the American spirit is shining through. Volunteers from across the South and beyond are pouring into Texas to assist. Ryan Logue, a Texas native and volunteer with the Louisiana-based Cajun Navy, praised the overwhelming response:
“The grassroots efforts on this have been amazing,” Logue told CNN. “We have had volunteers from over six states. I have people coming from Lubbock, Amarillo, over eight hours, 10 hours away in our own state, coming to help here.”
“It really does show that this country is more united than divided and it is tremendously appreciated,” Logue added.
Meanwhile, help from Washington appears certain. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that President Donald Trump intends to approve federal aid following the disaster declaration signed by Governor Abbott.
“I’ve visited with the president already about this federal disaster declaration that the governor was going to sign here this morning, and he has indicated that he will honor that and that he will accept that so that response and that relief will be coming,” Noem announced during a press conference.
This pledge of federal support arrives as Texas confronts not only the physical destruction but the emotional toll of a disaster that has left families searching desperately for loved ones and communities facing a long road to recovery.
Authorities remain focused on locating the missing campers and ensuring that those displaced by the floods have shelter and essential services. The eyes of the nation are on Texas as it battles to save lives and begin the monumental task of rebuilding.
As rescue crews press on and families wait for word, the Lone Star State stands resilient—united by grief, hope, and the resolve to weather even the fiercest storms.
