Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick gave an update from the State Emergency Operations Center in Austin. Of about 750 campers at Camp Mystic, a girls-only summer retreat along the Guadalupe River, 23 remain unaccounted for. On July 4, a sudden storm dropped over a foot of rain in less than three hours, quickly flooding the river and submerging cabins near the shore. Although most campers were evacuated, some areas became inaccessible before everyone could be moved to safety.
Families have gathered at reunification centers, supported by volunteers providing meals, clothing, and emotional aid. Search and rescue teams of over 300 responders—including state divers, Coast Guard, and National Guard—are using sonar, thermal drones, and search dogs along the camp and downstream areas. Conditions remain dangerous due to strong currents and underwater hazards.
Officials are investigating the rapid flooding and the timing of alerts, with calls for improved flood preparedness and upgraded monitoring systems. Meanwhile, communities have rallied, offering support through donations and volunteer efforts.
Despite the uncertainty, hope persists that some missing girls may have taken shelter nearby. Search teams continue their work, driven by determination to reunite every camper with their families.