SAD NEWS: At Least 13 Dead in Historic Texas Flooding, Over 20 Children Missing from Girls’ Summer Camp

Texas is reeling after devastating floods swept through parts of the state, leaving at least 13 people confirmed dead and triggering a frantic search for more than 20 missing children who were attending a girls’ summer camp when the waters rose overnight.

The catastrophic flooding, which local officials are calling some of the worst in Texas history, began late last night following days of relentless rainfall that saturated already swollen rivers and low-lying areas. The worst hit appears to be a rural region near the banks of the Brazos River, where a beloved summer camp for girls sits nestled in what was once considered a safe, scenic location.

Parents are now living every mother and father’s nightmare as they wait for word about their missing daughters. According to first responders, more than 80 children and staff were at Camp Willow Creek when the floodwaters breached the camp’s perimeter around midnight. Rescue operations were immediately launched, but raging currents, collapsed bridges, and washed-out roads have hampered efforts.

Heartbreaking images show parents standing in ankle-deep water at a makeshift command post, clutching photos of their daughters and praying for a miracle. Many of the missing girls are between the ages of eight and fourteen, and some were last seen clinging to trees or rooftops as rescue crews desperately tried to reach them.

Governor Maria Lopez declared a state of emergency early this morning, mobilizing the National Guard and additional rescue teams from neighboring states. Speaking to the press, she called the situation “unimaginable and deeply tragic,” promising that no resource would be spared in the search and rescue mission. Helicopters, boats, and even drones are being deployed to scour the flooded woods and riverbanks.

Meanwhile, local communities have rallied together to provide food, dry clothing, and shelter for evacuees who lost their homes overnight. Dozens of families were rescued from rooftops and attics as the water rose faster than many could react. Officials say the region received more than 15 inches of rain in less than 24 hours — an amount meteorologists warn is nearly unheard of for this time of year.

Stories of bravery and heartbreak continue to emerge. One mother recounted how she had spoken to her 10-year-old daughter just hours before the camp called to say they were evacuating. “I begged her to stay calm and told her help was coming,” the mother said through tears. “Now I just want her home.”

Local churches and schools have opened their doors as makeshift shelters, and lines of volunteers are filling sandbags and delivering supplies to those stranded. Rescue teams say they are working around the clock, but conditions remain dangerous as additional rain is forecast for the next 48 hours, threatening to worsen the crisis.

President Jack Reynolds issued a statement expressing condolences to the victims and pledging federal assistance for rescue and recovery efforts. “This is a tragedy that strikes at the heart of every family,” he said. “We stand with Texas.”

As daylight fades, the race against time grows more desperate. Rescuers are urging residents to stay away from flooded areas and to heed all evacuation orders. Officials fear the death toll could rise as more areas become accessible and search teams reach remote cabins and trails that may have been cut off by the flood.

For now, the entire state — and indeed the nation — watches and waits, hoping that the missing children will be found alive and that Texas can begin to recover from a disaster that has already left a scar that will take years to heal.