KERR COUNTY, Texas – Emergency crews are searching for possible missing campers after catastrophic flooding hit Camp Mystic, a private Christian girls’ camp in Kerr County.
At a press conference Friday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and other Texas leaders provided updates on the devastating flooding in Kerr County and ongoing search efforts at Camp Mystic. Patrick confirmed that roughly 20 campers remain unaccounted for but said that number could change as crews continue working through the area. An estimate of between 23-25 people missing was given by officials during a 9 p.m.
“To the parents out there who are watching and are unsure — but especially to those who received a call from Camp Mystic letting you know your daughter is not accounted for — I want all of you to know we will do everything humanly possible, 24/7,” Patrick said. “Looking at every tree, turning over every rock, whatever it takes. If your child is one of those truly missing and not just out of touch, we will do everything we can to find your daughter.”
Patrick noted that roughly 500 people are currently in the field assisting with search and rescue efforts across the flood-damaged area. “Make no mistake. We will do everything possible,” he added.
He also confirmed Texas has requested assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to monitor the safety of the Canyon Lake Dam and has been in regular contact with the White House, which pledged federal support as needed.
Around 7 p.m., Texas Game Wardens posted a photo on Facebook saying they have made it to Camp Mystic with vehicles and are evacuating the accounted for campers there to safety.
Senator Pete Flores called for continued prayers and praised first responders for risking their lives to rescue others.
“The first 24 to 48 hours is about search and rescue, saving as many lives as we can,” Flores said. “Thank God we are in Texas because Texas is well prepared to do this.”
Patrick urged the public to stay updated through disaster.texas.gov and asked Texans to pray for the missing campers. “Serious praying on your knees kind of praying that we find these young girls,” he added.
The Ingram Fire Department shared a photo of a statement from Camp Mystic on social media Friday, confirming the camp had lost power, water, and WiFi in the severe weather. According to camp officials, all campers staying at Cypress Lake and Senior Hill have been accounted for.
The camp said parents of any campers not accounted for have been directly notified. “If you have not been personally contacted, then your daughter is accounted for,” the statement read.
Friday evening, the Sinclair Elementary School PTO Facebook page confirmed a Sinclair Elementary student, Greta Toranzo, is among the campers missing at Camp Mystic.
“We are devastated to share that one of our Sinclair students is missing from Camp Mystic in the Kerr County Floods. Her parents have asked that her picture be shared far and wide as they search for her. Please keep Greta and her family in your thoughts,” the post said.
KPRC 2 has confirmed Jeff and Amber Wilson, along with their son, Shiloh, are also among the missing after the flood.
They were last seen at the HTR TX Hill Country Campground in Kerrville and have been missing since the flood hit this morning.
Jeff is a teacher at Kingwood Park High School. We are told the family was headed to a youth rodeo for Shiloh when they went missing.
Several members of a family from Liberty are also among the missing. John Burgess, IV, Julia Burgess, John “Jack” L. Burgess, V (Far Right), and James Burgess (Being held by John in the photo), are missing.
The Burgess’ 8-year-old daughter, Jenna Burgess, pictured on the far left in the photo above, is safe at Camp Longhorn.
KPRC 2’s Gage Goulding shared that among those reported missing are Eloise Peck and Lila Bonner. Search and rescue operations are ongoing as crews work through washed-out roads and dangerous conditions. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office at (830) 896-1216.
Former Houston Astros star Alex Bergman shared a photo of a missing girl who was staying at Camp Mystic, the all-girls camp in Hunt, Texas.
Emergency crews are working with search and rescue teams in the area. Washed-out roads, including a highway near the camp, are making it difficult for additional help to reach the site.
Another camp nearby, Camp Waldemar, posted an update on Instagram saying, “We are all safe and sound,” according to the AP.
An email obtained by KPRC 2’s sister station KSAT confirmed that communication had been made with the families of any unaccounted-for campers. The message emphasized that if a parent had not received a personal phone call, their child was safe.
The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office is working alongside the Red Cross to assist with reunification. Families trying to locate loved ones during this emergency are asked to call the Red Cross at 800-733-2767.
City of Kerrville police also urged residents to avoid flood areas as first responders continue their operations. “This incident is not over, and now is not the time to go look at the river,” the department wrote in a public safety post.
Authorities said traffic congestion and onlookers are slowing down rescue and recovery efforts.