HUNT, TEXAS — In a dramatic and emotional turn, all 23 girls initially reported missing after a devastating flash flood at Camp Mystic have now been found safe, according to emerging reports Friday evening.
The flood, which swept through the Christian summer camp early Friday morning, triggered a full-scale emergency response involving hundreds of first responders, helicopters, and specialized search teams.
Texas Game Wardens have confirmed that rescue operations are still underway, with efforts now focused on medical evaluations, reuniting families, and securing the flood-damaged area along the Guadalupe River.
The sudden rise of the river — over 22 feet in just 30 minutes — had initially left 23 campers unaccounted for and prompted officials to classify the event as a “mass casualty situation.”
Earlier in the day, the camp, which hosted approximately 750 girls aged 7 to 17, had suffered catastrophic damage. Flash floodwaters flattened cabins, overturned vehicles, and destroyed the camp’s only access road, leaving it isolated and without electricity, water, or internet. For hours, desperate families had no way to confirm their children’s safety and turned to social media to seek answers.
Among the initially missing were Lila Bonner and Eloise Peck, last seen in the “Bubble Inn” cabin, along with others named by families, including Hadley Hanna, Kellyanne Lytal, Lainey Landry, and Mary Grace Baker, among others. Their names had circulated widely online and in press briefings, further fueling public concern.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens played a central role in the rescue, navigating dangerous waters and wreckage to retrieve stranded campers. Several girls were rescued from treetops, vehicles, and isolated structures, thanks to coordinated efforts involving more than 500 emergency responders and 18 helicopters.
Despite the scale of the operation and the extreme conditions, officials now say every camper has been located alive, offering a miraculous reprieve after hours of uncertainty.
“This is the outcome we prayed for,” said Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, who had earlier warned that “every second counts” as the search unfolded. “The dedication and bravery of our first responders have made all the difference.”
While the news brings immense relief, tragedy still casts a shadow. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed 13 fatalities elsewhere in the region related to the flooding, as other communities also faced flash flood impacts. Officials have not yet clarified if any of those deaths were connected to Camp Mystic or its staff.
Freeman Martin, Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, cautioned that while the immediate danger at Camp Mystic may be over, the situation remains fluid. “We are not out of the woods yet. Infrastructure has been compromised, weather conditions remain unstable, and recovery work is just beginning.”
President Donald Trump pledged full federal support earlier in the day, deploying FEMA and the U.S. Coast Guard to assist in ongoing operations. Senator Ted Cruz issued a statement thanking emergency crews and asking for continued prayers as recovery proceeds.
As families begin to reunite with their daughters, officials urge the public to continue avoiding the affected area due to hazardous conditions and potential additional flooding in the Texas Hill Country.
Anyone with further information or needs related to the incident is encouraged to contact Kerr County Emergency Management immediately.
