Devastated parents in Texas are clinging to hope that their missing children will be found alive as authorities insist that the response to horrific flooding is still being treated as a rescue operation.

At least 50 people – including 15 children – have died after the Guadalupe River surged 30 feet above its normal height, devastating children’s summer camps and ripping apart families.

Wrecked father, Ty Badon, spoke with CNN on Saturday explaining his desperation in the hunt for his missing daughter and her friends who have not been seen or heard from since the disastrous rush of water.

‘We pray that all four of them are still alive,’ he said holding back tears. ‘All four are missing. They’re still missing.’

Badon, a resident of Beaumont, added that the last time his daughter and his friends were heard from was around 4 a.m. Friday morning.

‘It’s been four o’clock yesterday morning that we were told that they were on the phone with Aidan’s dad, who they own the house where they were,’ he said, adding that the house ‘is no longer there.’

He said his daughter and her friends frantically hung up, explaining that they needed to help the others who had ‘just been washed away.’

‘Aidan said “Hey I’ve got to go, I’ve got to help Ella and Reese … they just got washed away,” and then a few seconds later the phone just went dead, and that’s all we know,’ he continued explaining to CNN’s Ed Lavandera.

Badon believes his daughter ‘got washed away as well,’ as he clings to hope of an eventual reunion.

Wrecked father, Ty Badon, spoke with CNN on Saturday explaining his desperation in the hunt for his missing daughter and her friends who have not been seen or heard from since the disastrous rush of water

Ella Cahill is missing

Joyce Badon is still missing

Reese Manchaca

Aidan Heartfield

‘We presume she got washed away as well. And if you go back to where the house is, it’s not a good sign,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was brutally grilled over the delayed warning alerts Texas residents received before the monster flash flood was about to devastate the state.

Noem joined Governor Greg Abbott and other state personnel for a press conference on Saturday, where a journalist grilled the cabinet member on the delayed warning from the National Weather Service.

‘ICE Barbie’ blamed the ‘ancient system’ and said the Trump Administration would look into renewing the system to better work for US citizens.

‘The weather is extremely difficult to predict,’ Noem said. ‘But also that the National Weather Service, over the years at times, has done well and at times, we have all wanted more time and more warning and more notification.’

She said the Trump Administration is working to ‘fix’ and ‘update the technology.’

‘We needed to renew this ancient system that has been left in place with the federal government for many, many years and that is the reforms that are ongoing there.’

Residents were not warned until 1:18pm on July 3 and were told it was ‘moderate’ storms.

Noem did not bring up how the Trump Administration had proposed cuts for FEMA and NOAA, both which help during natural disasters. The proposal includes cutting NOAA’s weather laboratories that research severe storms, as well as, its hub for climate science coordination and research.

Noem joined Governor Greg Abbott and other state personnel for a press conference on Saturday, where a journalist grilled the cabinet member on the delayed warning from the National Weather Service

Many Texans have blamed the slow updates as part of the reason at least 50 have lost their lives and 27 are still missing.

Governor Greg Abbott said the search for survivors will continue 24 hours a day.

‘We will find every one of them,’ he promised on Saturday, while calling the state’s response to the tragedy ‘quintessentially Texas.’

‘When Texas faces a challenge, we come together, we unite,’ he said, while sitting next to Noem.

‘It’s what Texans do, it’s what we will continue to do… We will not stop today or tomorrow, we will stop when it’s finish.’

He also signed a request for federal aid, which Noem said the president is expected to sign.

Earlier today, harrowing images have emerged showing the remains of a Texas summer camp at least three campers lost their lives after it was deluged by deadly flood waters.

Governor Greg Abbott requested federal aid. Noem said the president is likely to sign it

At least three campers were killed when the unprecedented current slammed into Hunt’s Camp Mystic as the girls slept in the early hours of Friday.

Dozens more people, including other campers, are still missing.

Among those confirmed dead are 15 children, including the three young girls who were attending Camp Mystic.

Renee Smajstrla, eight, Janie Hunt, nine, and Sarah Marsh all perished when Camp Mystic in Hunt was washed away by the flood waters.

Among the other confirmed dead are: Jeff Ramsey and Jane Ragsdale, the director of Heart O’ the Hills, another nearby summer camp. And 850 people have been rescued by authorities.

Heartbreaking pictures show how the side of the summer camp has been completely wrenched away by the floods.

Harrowing images have emerged showing the remains of a Texas summer camp where nine girls lost their lives after it was deluged by raging flood waters

At least nine campers lost their lives in the floods which slammed into the camp in the early hours of Friday

The girls’ sodden beds and belongings were seen covered in river water following the decimation

A stuff animal and a scarf were seen on the steps after the water receded at Camp Mystic

One of the huts at the camp was completely destroyed, with it’s roof sagging over the structure

Inside, the sodden beds and blankets of the campers can be seen covered in a thick sludge. Belongings such as bags and clothing are also seen strewn across the floor.

Another build saw its roof sag over the ruined building and pieces of jagged wood splintered underneath it.

A 27-year-old father, Julian Ryan, died saving his family after water flooded their home near the river.

As water quickly rose to their knees, Ryan punched a window to get his fiancée, children, and his mother out of the home safely and onto the roof.

The punch severed an artery in his arm and ‘almost cut it clean off,’ his fiancée, Christinia Wilson, told KHOU.

Hours later, he told them: ”I’m sorry, I’m not going to make it. I love y’all.’

His body was recovered hours later after the water receded. The family has started a GoFundMe.

Now, experts fear that Lake Lyndon B. Johnson, which is near Austin, will burst as the Llano River is near its crest and flows quickly toward the body of water.

‘Boaters need to get off the water ASAP. Debris-filled fast-moving water will arrive rapidly,’ CBS Austin Meteorologist, Avery Tomasco, warned.

A 27-year-old father, Julian Ryan, died saving his family. As water quickly rose in their home off the river, Ryan punched a window to get his fiancée, children, and his mother out of the home safely and onto the roof. The punch severed an artery in his arm

Hours later, he told them: ”I¿m sorry, I¿m not going to make it. I love y¿all’

The family of Renee Smajstrla, eight, shared the devastating news that she was among those who died during the floods

Janie Hunt, nine, is another Camp Mystic camper who died after the Guadalupe River flooded and surged by up to 30 feet above its usual water level Friday

Sarah Marsh’s family also confirmed she was one of the many children who lost her life. A total of nine kids are so far been confirmed dead by authorities

Lila Bonner

Heart O’ the Hills camp shared that their director, Jane Ragsdale, died in the floods in a tribute post on their website. Parts of Texas are expected to get up to five more inches of rain on Saturday, with some areas bracing for up to 10 inches

Jeff Ramsey perished. His wife, Tanya, is still missing

The river is flowing at a whopping 125,000 cubic-feet-per-second – nearly three times as fast as it was mere hours ago.

The rising river levels come after the Guadalupe River in Kerrville surged by up to 30 feet above its usual water levels on Friday.

Parts of the Lone Star State are expected to be lashed by up to five more inches of rain Saturday, stoking fears for dozens of people still missing.

Some areas are bracing for up to 10 more inches of rain.

Several counties – including Travis and Burnet Counties – are under a flash flood emergency as flood waters are tearing down homes, sweeping away children, and leaving families devastated.

The loved ones of the missing are desperately begging for help in finding their loved ones.

Four Camp Mystic campers feared missing have since been confirmed found by their families – Ella Bennett, a Camp Mystic counselor, and Annie Flack, a camper. Two other unidentified campers have also been found and were airlifted to safety.

At least two dozen more still have not been found.

A woman was captured being dramatically rescued after she was swept 12 miles downstream by raging floods.

An unidentified woman was reportedly swept up for 12 miles before finding refuge in a tree

Pictured: A dad hugging his daughter tight at a reunification center in Ingram. Twenty-four people died during the massive floods in Texas, most of which were children attending a summer camp. More than 20, many children, are still missing

The final death toll is expected to rise as dozens remain unaccounted for after the unexpected flood (Pictured: A drone view of flooded houses along the Concho River)

The National Weather Service has warned that Austin is next in line for biblical floods as Kerrville is swamped under dangerously high waters that have swept children down a river, devastated families, and ruined homes

The terrified youngster was pictured clinging to the branches of a tree as the rapids swelled beneath her.

The girl, who is yet to be identified, was later taken to safety, News 4 San Antonio reports.

A separate video showed a helicopter airlifting an individual to safety after the unprecedented flooding.

Officials have since launched a massive rescue effort to locate dozens of missing individuals.

As the extensive search efforts continue, identities of the missing have begun to emerge with families sharing photos of their loved ones in hopes of learning information about their whereabouts.

Annie Flack, who had previously been missing, has been found, her mother confirmed to Daily Mail

Ella Bennett has been found

Two unidentified campers were also rescued from the floods. Officials have stressed they hope to rescue many of the missing and say they’re still hopeful of finding most of those missing safe and well

The family of an eight-year-old girl named Renee Smajstrla has confirmed that she was among those who lost her life during the tragic floods.

Her uncle, Shawn Salta, shared on Facebook: ‘We are thankful she was with her friends and having the time of her life, as evidenced by this picture from yesterday. She will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic.’

Heart O’ the Hills camp was also impacted by the flood path. The camp shared in an announcement on their website that their director and co-owner, Jane Ragsdale, died in the flood.

‘We are mourning the loss of a woman who influenced countless lives and was the definition of strong and powerful,’ Heart O’ the Hills said.

A friend of Jane’s shared their last text exchange on social media, writing to her that she was thinking of the camp as the summertime approached.

‘Aw! Thanks. It’s definitely our time of year, what we love and live for,’ Jane replied.

Heart O’ the Hills added in their statement they weren’t in session during the floods and most of those on the site were accounted for and on high ground.

Terrified parents of those missing said they have been left in limbo as they await news from the ongoing searches.

Several counties – including Travis and Burnet Counties – are under a flash flood emergency as flood waters are tearing down homes, sweeping away children, and leaving families devastated

At least 14 helicopters, 12 drones and more than 500 people from various units have joined search efforts

Officials have stressed they hope to rescue many of the missing and say they’re still hopeful of finding most of those missing safe and well.

Among those named missing: are Linnie McCown, Anna Margaret Bellows, Mary Grace Baker, Eloise Peck, Lila Bonner, Greta Toranzo, Lainey Landry, Kelly Anne Lytal, Margaret Sheedy, Virginia Hollis, Cile Stewart, Wynne Naylor, Molly Dewitt, Blakely McCrory, Hadley Hanna, Ella Cahill, Joyce Badon, Reese Manchaca, and Aidan Heartfield.

The sheer scale of destruction – with buildings ripped from their foundations and cars swept away like toys – suggests that may be an overly optimistic prediction.

At a press conference late on Friday evening, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the floods had been devastating, and declared that ‘we need God more than ever.’

‘It needs God, but it also needs a robust response… searches will continue in the darkness of night, and they will continue’ into the early hours of Saturday, Abbott said.

‘We’ll put in everything we have in the entire state.’

At least 14 helicopters, 12 drones and more than 500 people from various units have joined search efforts, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said at the press conference.

Over 150 people were airlifted from danger during the extensive search and rescue efforts by Texas authorities throughout Friday.

Linnie McCown

Anna Margaret Bellows

Missing camper Mary Grace Baker

Missing campers Eloise Peck (L) and Lila Bonner (R)

Officials said at the press conference on Friday night that a total of 237 people were rescued by authorities through the day, with many more still unaccounted for.

The massive flood shocked local officials in Kerr County, with local Judge Rob Kelly admitting that ‘no one knew this kind of flood was coming.’

President Donald Trump also broke his silence on the devastating floods, as he pledged to fully support the ongoing recovery efforts.

‘It’s terrible, the floods, it’s shocking,’ he said late Friday evening.

Trump was asked by reporters if he would provide federal aid to the area, to which he responded: ‘We’ll take care of them.’

‘It’s a terrible thing,’ he added.

Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said that the Coast Guard was ‘punching through storms to evacuate Americans from central Texas.

‘We will fly throughout the night and as long as possible. This is what the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard do,’ she added.

The remarks came as footage from the ongoing searches of the Guadalupe River show a helicopter heroically saving someone from the flood damage.

The footage showed a person being hoisted from the river as one of 14 helicopters deployed during the searches lifted them to safety.

A total of 237 people were rescued by authorities on Friday as the rescue mission continues through the weekend

Debris from the flash flooding in Texas on Saturday. President Donald Trump also broke his silence on the devastating floods, as he pledged to fully support the ongoing recovery efforts

Rushing water on the Guadalupe River on Saturday. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the floods had been devastating, and declared that ‘we need God more than ever’

Trees lean as rushing water surges by in Kerrville, Texas, on Saturday. Over 150 people were airlifted from danger during the extensive search and rescue efforts by Texas authorities throughout Friday

As some families were left in limbo awaiting their children at reunification centers, parent Serena Hanor Aldrich told the New York Times that she was thankful her two daughters, aged 9 and 12, were rescued during the floods, but said the camp runners should have been ready for the torrential rainfall.

‘They should have been watching the Texas Division of Emergency Management and Kerr County,’ she said.

‘They were posting stuff yesterday morning. They should have been on top of it.’

She said her daughters were safe because they were in camps that were on higher ground, but Camp Mystic runs a number of campsites along the Guadalupe River that were overwhelmed by flood waters.

‘There are still campers missing,’ Aldrich said at a reunification center, where other parents were still waiting for their children to return.

Flooding has caused an average of more than 125 deaths per year in the United States over the past few decades, according to the National Weather Service, and flash floods are the nation’s top storm-related killer.

Here’s a look at some of the most deadly flooding nationwide in the past 25 years.

Authorities are still assessing the deadly effects of heavy rains that caused devastating flash floods in Texas Hill Country, leaving at least 27 people dead and many others missing as frantic parents sought word about their daughters at a girls camp near the Guadalupe River.

Searchers used helicopters, boats and drones to look for victims and to rescue stranded people in trees and from camps isolated by washed-out roads.

Show more

Hurricane Helene, 2024

Hurricane Helene struck Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee and Virginia in September 2024. The storm caused about 250 deaths, according to the National Weather Service.

Many of those who died in Helene fell victim to massive inland flooding, rather than high winds. Helene was the deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The storm decimated remote towns throughout the Appalachians and left millions without power, cellular service and supplies. In North Carolina alone, Helene was responsible for 108 deaths, according to the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.

Kentucky, 2022

Raging floodwaters in eastern Kentucky in late July of 2022 led to 45 deaths, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tyler Roys said Saturday.

The floods destroyed homes and businesses and caused significant damage to schools, roads, bridges and water systems. The disaster robbed thousands of families of all their possessions.

Tennessee, 2021

Twenty people were killed when creeks near the small Middle Tennessee town of Waverly overflowed after more than more than 17 inches (43 centimeters) of rain fell in the area in less than 24 hours in August 2021.

Homes were washed off their foundations, cars were wrecked and businesses were demolished. The dead included twin babies who were swept from their father’s arms.

Hurricane Harvey, 2017

Hurricane Harvey barreled into Texas in August 2017 as a powerful Category 4 storm. Harvey hovered for days as it trudged inland, dumping several feet of rain on many Gulf Coast communities and the Houston area.

Harvey killed at least 68 people, according to a National Hurricane Center report. All but three of the Harvey deaths were directly attributed to freshwater flooding, which damaged more than 300,000 structures and caused an estimated $125 billion in damage.

West Virginia, June 2016

A rainstorm that initially seemed like no big deal turned into a catastrophe in West Virginia, trapping dozens of people during the night and eventually leaving 23 people dead around the state.

Superstorm Sandy, 2012

Superstorm Sandy was a a late fall freak combination of a hurricane and other storms that struck New York and surrounding areas in October 2012.

Sandy killed 147 people, 72 in the eastern U.S., according to the National Hurricane Center. More than 110 deaths were attributed to drowning, Roys said.

Mississippi River, 2011

Heavy rainfall in several states, plus a larger-than-normal slow melt, led rivers in the Mississippi River Basin to swell and flood in 2011.

Flash floods associated with these storms caused 24 deaths across Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee in April and May, according to the National Weather Service.

Hurricane Ike, 2008

Hurricane Ike struck the Southeast Texas Gulf Coast in September 2008, creating a storm surge as high as 20 feet (6 meters) in the island city of Galveston.

Ike then poured more than 4 feet (1.2 meters) of rain on Houston, destroying thousands of cars and leaving hundreds of thousands of families with flood-damaged homes.

In all, Ike was responsible for more than 100 deaths, many caused by flooding.

Hurricane Katrina, 2005

Hurricane Katrina is the deadliest flood event in the U.S. in the past 25 years.

The storm crashed into the Gulf Coast and caused devastating flooding when levees failed in New Orleans, where people had to be rescued by boat and helicopter from rooftops.

The costliest storm in U.S. history, Katrina caused nearly 1,400 deaths and an estimated $200 billion in damages.

Tropical Storm Allison, 2001

Tropical Storm Allison caused 41 deaths, mostly attributed to flooding caused by 40 inches (101 centimeters) of rain that fell in Texas and Louisiana, Roys said.

Allison remained a threat for days as its remnants lingered after making landfall in June 2001, causing major flooding in Houston.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks during a press conference in Kerrville, Texas, on Saturday. KENS

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem addressed the ongoing federal response to the catastrophic flooding in Texas, emphasizing the urgent need for resources, coordination and continued federal support as the search for missing people intensifies.

In addition to ground efforts, federal officials have requested more aviation assets to aid in aerial search and rescue.

“We, just at the request of a previous conversation less than an hour ago … requested more fixed-wing aircraft from the Coast Guard to come and help us,” Noem said. She added many of the aircraft will be equipped with thermal imaging to allow round-the-clock searches.

“Some of the assets that other agencies may offer don’t have that kind of equipment but the Coast Guard does have it so that will be deployed so that the search and rescue efforts don’t stop even when it does get dark at night.”

She reassured Texans FEMA would remain fully engaged and ready to provide additional assistance based on evolving needs from state leadership.

“We’ll continue to stay engaged, and I’ll be here,” Noem said, noting her plans to visit Camp Mystic, where more than 20 girls are still unaccounted for, along with other parts of the community to assess damage and offer support.

“The number one priority now is people,” Noem stated. “(It) is making sure we’re finding people as fast as possible and we’re returning them to their families.”

While damage assessments to infrastructure are ongoing as bridges, roads and power lines have all sustained impact, she said the focus remains on saving lives before turning fully to long-term recovery.

“The state of Texas is amazing in how it responds to disasters,” she said. “You are an example to the nation of getting through these difficult times. But also know that you’re not alone, that you have the entire country’s hearts with you.”

Search for survivors continues as Texas floods kill 43, including 15 children

1 hour ago Share Save Gary O’Donoghue, Angélica Casas & Alex Lederman BBC News Reporting from Kerr County, Texas Share Save

BBC reports from the scene of floods in Kerr County

Hundreds of rescuers have been deployed to search for survivors in central Texas, after flash floods killed 43 people, including 15 children. “The work continues, and will continue, until everyone is found,” promised Larry Leitha, the sheriff of Kerr County. As the search goes into a second night, county officials said 27 children remained missing from a Christian youth camp located along the river. Some parents confirmed their child’s death on social media. About 850 people have been rescued so far. Multiple flash flood warnings remain in place over the weekend in central Texas.

At a press conference on Saturday afternoon, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said he had signed an expanded disaster declaration to boost search efforts. He said officials would be relentless in ensuring they locate “every single person who’s been a victim of this event”, adding that “we will stop when job is completed”.

It remains a search and rescue mission, officials said, not a recovery effort. They said rescuers were going up and down the Guadalupe River to try to find people who may have been swept away by the floods. US President Donald Trump said his administration is working closely with local authorities to respond to the emergency. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the federal government would deploy the Coast Guard to help search efforts. Forecasters have warned that central Texas may see more flooding this weekend. The National Weather Service (NWS) said the area could see 2 to 5in (5cm to 12cm) of rain on Saturday. Up to 10in of rain was possible in some areas badly affected by Friday’s deluge.

Getty Images

Devastated camp

Much of the rescue has focused on a large all-girls’ Christian summer camp called Camp Mystic, located along the banks of the Guadalupe River. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick told the BBC’s Radio 4 PM programme many of 27 missing girls were “under the age of 12”. Pictures from the camp show it in disarray, with blankets, mattresses, teddy bears and other belongings caked in mud. Many were asleep when the river rose more than 26ft (8m) in less than an hour in the early hours of Friday. In an email to parents of the roughly 750 campers, Camp Mystic said that if they haven’t been contacted directly, their child is considered missing. Some of the families have already stated publicly that their children were among those who were found dead. A special mass will be held at Notre Dame Catholic Church on Sunday for those who died or are missing, and their families. Scores of campers holidaying during the 4 July weekend, were also unaccounted for. Lorena Guillen, whose home and restaurant were destroyed, had 28 recreational vehicles staying on her land near the river. She told the BBC News Channel that she heard screams from a family of five. “They were getting washed away,” Guillen said. “They were clinging on trees to be rescued. But the rescuers couldn’t get to them”.

‘It could have been me’

At the Arcadia Live theatre in Kerrville, parents were reunited with their daughters who had been staying at Camp Waldemor

Rachel Reed drove five hours from Dallas to pick up her daughter. She told the BBC that members of her church and children’s school district were among the girls dead and missing. “The families of those campers are living every parent’s worst nightmare,” she said. “Of course, it could have been me.” Others started returning to the flooded areas. Jonathan and Brittany Rojas visited their relatives’ home – where only the foundation remained. They told the BBC that the mother and a baby of the family remained missing. A teenage son, Leo, survived after he became snared in barbed wire. Another resident, Anthony, found his apartment full of mud and debris. His belongings were not salvageable, except a box holding childhood photos and his baby blanket. “I lost everything I own,” he told the BBC. “Now I’m trying to figure things out.”

✕ Close Watch: Deadly flooding in Texas captured from bridge

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Two girls missing from a summer camp were found dead as a desperate search for dozens of other campers continues after devastating floods hit Texas, killing at least 27.

The death toll rose to 27 as of Saturday morning, with Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirming that 18 adults and nine children had died as a result of the floods. As of Saturday morning, at least 850 had been rescued or evacuated, officials said.

There are also 27 girls still missing from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe River that was ravaged by the floods, officials said.

Two girls who attended Camp Mystic have been found dead, according to reports, marking a tragic end to a day-long search. Relatives identified the girls as Renee Smajstrla and Janie Hunt.

The unexpected flash flooding struck on Friday after torrential rain along the Guadalupe River. The destructive force of the fast-rising waters just before dawn on Friday washed out homes and swept away vehicles.

At least 400 people were on the ground helping in the response, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said. Nine rescue teams, 14 helicopters and 12 drones were being used, with some people being rescued from trees.

President Donald Trump has described the floods as “terrible” and “shocking.”