Search crews are continuing to look for nearly two dozen girls who are feared to have been swept away from a Christian summer camp during the catastrophic floods in Texas.
Officials have revealed that between 23 to 25 campers from Camp Mystic in Kerr County remain unaccounted for after the Guadalupe River surged more than 20 feet in 90 minutes during an early morning rainstorm on Friday (July 4).
The camp, perched in the San Antonio suburb of Hunt, hosts girls aged seven to 17. Most people were evacuated as floodwaters rose, but some children were left behind and are now believed to be missing in the fast-moving water.
According to Sky News, on Friday night, 237 people were rescued from the floods, including 167 by helicopter, while others remained missing.
It’s unclear if any of the 24 fatalities are among the missing campers. One victim was found in Kendall County, but authorities have not confirmed if the death is connected to the primary flood zone, per The New York Post.
The campgrounds did not have a warning system in place, Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly revealed. The last flood of this scale in the area occurred in 1987 when floodwaters overtook a church bus and killed 10 teenagers.
Kelly was asked during a news conference why camps along the Guadalupe River had not been evacuated in advance.
"We didn't know this flood was coming. Rest assured, no one knew this kind of flood was coming," he responded, adding that "we do not have a warning system" in the area, BBC News reported.
Parents have rushed from across Texas to the river’s edge to wait for news. Camp Mystic advised parents that if they haven’t been contacted directly, they should assume their daughters are accounted for, but officials cautioned families not to assume the worst.
“That does not mean they’ve been lost. They could be in a tree. They could be out of communication,” Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said. “We’re praying for all those missing to be found alive.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster in counties around San Antonio during a press conference, vowing to use every resource to rescue the missing.
“We will stop at nothing to ensure that every asset and person and plan, whatever is needed, is going to be involved in the process of rescuing every last person,” Abbott said.
The names of some of the missing campers have begun to emerge as families share their stories in the hope of finding their daughters alive.
Hadley Hanna, eight - Her parents told WFAA they rushed to Hunt from Dallas to be on hand for the search.
Lainey Landry, nine - Her mother described Lainey as “brave and sweet” in a statement to CNN.
Eloise Peck - The Dallas girl was in the same cabin as several friends who are also missing, her parents told Fox 4.
Lila Bonner - A Dallas native, Lila was seen smiling with Eloise in a photo shared by her parents.
Renee Smajstrla - Renee was in the same cabin as Eloise and Lila, her parents confirmed to NBC DFW.
Janie Hunt - “We are just praying,” her mother told CNN.
Greta Toranzo - A student at Sinclair Elementary School in Houston, confirmed missing, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Two other confirmed missing girls are Kellyanne Lytal and Virginia Hollis.
Officials are urging Texans to avoid flooded areas as rescue teams continue their operations.
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this.