**Deadly Texas Floods: Search Efforts Underway for Missing Children**
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the Texas Hill Country has been plunged into chaos as catastrophic floods engulfed a summer camp, leaving at least 20 children unaccounted for. The disaster struck overnight on Friday, as the Guadalupe River surged a staggering 8 meters in just 45 minutes, trapping approximately 800 campers at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls.
Rescue operations are now in full swing, with 14 helicopters, 12 drones, and 500 dedicated rescuers scouring the area amid relentless rain. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has activated National Guard troops to assist in the desperate search, as anxious parents cling to hope for their missing daughters. Authorities emphasize that while the children are unaccounted for, they may simply be out of communication or seeking refuge in trees.
“We will do everything humanly possible, 24/7, to find your child,” a rescue official stated, underscoring the urgency of the situation. However, washed-out roads hinder access to stranded survivors and complicate supply deliveries, with some nearby towns evacuated as the region grapples with ongoing rainfall.
Local officials faced scrutiny over why the camp wasn’t evacuated prior to the disaster, citing an unexpected rise in water levels that caught everyone off guard. “There were no signs of it rising,” they insisted. As recovery workers continue to find more bodies, both children and adults, families brace for the grim reality of what may lie ahead.
With more flooding predicted, the community remains on edge, praying for the safe return of the missing and mourning those who have already been lost. The unfolding tragedy serves as a stark reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the fragility of safety in the face of sudden disaster.