More than 20 girls attending a summer camp were unaccounted for amid significant flooding in Central Texas, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Friday.
About 750 children at Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp for girls in Hunt, had to be evacuated overnight after “catastrophic” flooding along the Guadalupe River.
During a Friday afternoon news conference, Patrick referenced an email that the camp sent to parents Friday saying that all Cypress Lake and Senior Hill campers have been found. He added that Camp Mystic would only notify parents if their daughters are not accounted for.
“If you have not been personally contacted, then your daughter has been accounted for,” he said. “I want to repeat that. This is not from the state, not from the government. This is from the camp director on the ground.”
Some of the missing young campers are from North Texas.
One of them is 8-year-old Hadley Hanna from Dallas, her mother told The Dallas Morning News.
At least two other children from Dallas-Fort Worth were also reported missing, according to reports from several media outlets. The News couldn’t immediately reach their parents for confirmation.
In a post on X Friday evening, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson called these reports “gut-wrenching.” He also said the city is sending a Dallas Fire-Rescue squad to help with the response efforts.
Meanwhile, the Highland Park United Methodist Church said in a newsletter that it is planning a prayer vigil Saturday morning for those affected by the flood. The church said the tragedy “hits close to home,” as it counts several Camp Mystic attendees as part of its community.
Camp Mystic was established in 1926 on the banks of the Guadalupe River, according to its website. It is located 18 miles west of Kerrville.
The camp runs three terms throughout the summer. The second session started on June 29 and was to last four weeks. Girls can attend Camp Mystic once they have completed the second grade.
Patrick said officials will “do everything humanly possible” to find those who are unaccounted for.
State and local police offices are coordinating the search and rescue efforts, which include up to 500 people on the ground from various units, according to Patrick. He added there are also 14 helicopters and 12 drones supporting the effort.
“This is a very coordinated response,” said Freeman Martin, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety. He added that residents don’t need to show up to the affected zones to help or self-deploy drones or private helicopters. “Stay away from the area. If you can, stay home with your families.”
Meanwhile, the Texas Game Wardens posted on X just before 7:15 p.m. that their vehicles had entered Camp Mystic and were “beginning to bring campers out.”
Other Texas politicians have also voiced support for the affected communities.
“Please pray right now for everyone in the Hill Country, especially Camp Mystic,” U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz posted on X.
Beyond Camp Mystic, Patrick said there have so far been no reports of a loss from other camps as of Friday afternoon. In a subsequent news conference Friday night, officials said other camps have been accounted for.
Officials also said Friday night that there have been at least 24 fatalities. The area was also under a flood watch until 7 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
“I’m asking the people of Texas to do some serious praying this afternoon — on your knees kind of praying — that we find these young girls and that they’re only unaccounted for because they’re somewhere that we don’t know yet but that they’re alive and safe,” Patrick said.
“If they’re alive and safe, we will find them and bring them home to you, so please pray for these families tonight.”
Staff writer Casey He contributed to this report.
CORRECTION, 8:45 a.m., July 5, 2025: An earlier version of this story misidentified the location of Camp Mystic. It is 18 miles west of Kerrville.