If you’re just joining us, here’s a quick summary of all the latest from the devastating floods in Texas.
At least 24 people are known to have died in flash flooding after the Guadalupe River burst its banks early on Friday
Up to 25 girls who had been attending a Christian summer camp near the town of Kerrville, north-west of San Antonio, are still missing
One 13-year-old girl who was evacuated by helicopter after being woken in the middle of the night said the “camp was completely destroyed”
Officials have said the floods were not predicted by forecasts and that the river rose by 26ft (8m) in just 45 minutes
Vice President JD Vance has called the deaths an “incomprehensible tragedy”, while First Lady Melania Trump said she was sending her “prayers for strength, comfort, and resilience” for those affected
Pictures from the ground show widespread destruction to homes, vehicles, and trees as well as ongoing rescue efforts
Warnings for flash flooding around the region remain in place
More rain has been forecast for Saturday and Sunday, with Texas Lt-Gov Dan saying the forecast for potential heavy rain and flooding covered a large area
Key events
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City manager Dalton Rice acknowledged the number of those missing is likely to change throughout the day.
“The 27 missing are the children from Camp Mystic.
“As for unknown other missing, we do not have an accurate count, and we do not want to begin to estimate at this time.”
The news conference has now ended with a further update expected at around 8pm UK time.
Sheriff Larry Leitha told a news conference: “I want to tell you and assure y’all that we will not stop till every single person is found.
“We’ve got all the resources we need. We’re here for the long haul. As I said, numbers will be changing rapidly.”
A shelter has been set up for the general public who need assistance.
Representative Chip Roy said there are one thousand “boots on the ground” with 160 air rescues having taken place already.
ShareTwenty seven people confirmed dead in Texas
Twenty seven people are confirmed dead after flooding in Texas.
Eighteen are adults and nine are children, an official from Kerr County said.
“We are working hard to locate anyone who is still missing and ensure they are safe,” Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said.
Some 850 people have been rescued so far.
In the last few minutes, the US president Donald Trump has posted this on his Truth Social platform: “The Trump Administration is working with State and Local Officials on the ground in Texas in response to the tragic flooding that took place yesterday. Our Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, will be there shortly.
“Melania and I are praying for all of the families impacted by this horrible tragedy. Our Brave First Responders are on site doing what they do best. GOD BLESS THE FAMILIES, AND GOD BLESS TEXAS!”
Updated at 11.20 EDT
What we know so far
If you’re just joining us, here’s a quick summary of all the latest from the devastating floods in Texas.
At least 24 people are known to have died in flash flooding after the Guadalupe River burst its banks early on Friday
Up to 25 girls who had been attending a Christian summer camp near the town of Kerrville, north-west of San Antonio, are still missing
One 13-year-old girl who was evacuated by helicopter after being woken in the middle of the night said the “camp was completely destroyed”
Officials have said the floods were not predicted by forecasts and that the river rose by 26ft (8m) in just 45 minutes
Vice President JD Vance has called the deaths an “incomprehensible tragedy”, while First Lady Melania Trump said she was sending her “prayers for strength, comfort, and resilience” for those affected
Pictures from the ground show widespread destruction to homes, vehicles, and trees as well as ongoing rescue efforts
Warnings for flash flooding around the region remain in place
More rain has been forecast for Saturday and Sunday, with Texas Lt-Gov Dan saying the forecast for potential heavy rain and flooding covered a large area
Multiple flash flood warnings have been announced in the region around the Guadalupe River.
The National Weather Service for Austin and San Antonio said warnings were in place in the areas around the town of McSweeney and the city of Lockhart, both of which sit to the northeast of San Antonio.
It issued a further warning for the city of Georgetown, which sits to the north of Austin.
ShareDeaths an ‘incomprehensible tragedy’, says VP
US Vice President JD Vance has described the deaths caused by the flooding in Texas as an “incomprehensible tragedy”.
At least 24 people are known to have died after the Guadalupe River burst its banks early on Friday, while more than 20 others are still missing.
“Our nation’s heart breaks for the victims in Texas and their families,” Vance wrote in a statement on social media. “Just an incomprehensible tragedy.
“I hope everyone affected knows they’re in the prayers of my family, and of millions of Americans.”
He also shared a prayer: “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
“and let perpetual light shine upon them.
“May the souls of all the faithful departed,
“through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”
Updated at 10.29 EDT
Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, which is collecting donations to help nonprofits responding to the disaster, said the area affected is known as “flash flood alley” because of the hills’ thin layer of soil.
“When it rains, water doesn’t soak into the soil,” Dickson told the Associated Press. “It rushes down the hill.”
River tourism industry is a key part of the Hill Country economy. Well-known, century-old summer camps bring in children from all over the country, Dickson said.
“It’s generally a very tranquil river with really beautiful clear blue water that people have been attracted to for generations,” he added.
ShareMore rain expected on Saturday and Sunday – forecasters
More rain has been forecast for Saturday and Sunday, forecasters said.
A flood watch had been upgraded to a warning overnight on Friday for at least 30,000 people, the Associated Press reports.
Texas Lt-Gov Dan Patrick said the potential for heavy rain and flooding covered a large area.
“Everything was done to give them a heads up that you could have heavy rain, and we’re not exactly sure where it’s going to land,” Patrick said.
“Obviously as it got dark last night, we got into the wee morning of the hours, that’s when the storm started to zero in.”
Kerr county judge Rob Kelly, the county’s chief elected official, said: “We do not have a warning system.”
When pushed on why more precautions weren’t taken, Kelly said no one knew this kind of flood was coming.
The slow-moving storm stuck over central Texas is expected to bring more rain on Saturday, with the potential for pockets of heavy downpours and more flooding, said Jason Runyen, of the National Weather Service.
The threat could linger overnight and into Sunday morning, he said.
Here is some drone footage which shows the extent of flooding in Texas.
Drone footage shows extent of deadly Texas flooding – video
ShareMelania Trump offers sympathy to parents of children affected by floods
Melania Trump has expressed sympathy for the parents of the children affected by the floods in Texas.
In the post on X she wrote:
My heart goes out to the parents in Texas during this difficult time. I am holding you in my thoughts and sending prayers for strength, comfort, and resilience.
Pictures from Kerr County, Texas show some of the destruction caused by flooding in areas along the Guadalupe River.
Overturned vehicles and broken trees after flooding caused by the flash flood at the Guadalupe River in Kerrville, Texas. Photograph: Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty ImagesTrees emerge from flood waters along the banks of the river. Photograph: Eric Vryn/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 09.01 EDT
‘Life-threatening’ flooding continues – officials
Dangerous and life-threatening flooding as well as heavy rains continue in parts of Texas, the National Weather Service for Austin and San Antonio has said.
In a statement on social media, the service said the worst affected counties were Burnet, western Williamson, and northwestern Travis, which all sit in the region to the northeast of the Guadeloupe River.
“A flash flood emergency remains in effect for these areas,” the statement said. “Seek higher ground if near a flooded creek or stream.”
ShareWhat caused the floods?
The floods came after the Guadeloupe River, which runs across an area of southern Texas, burst its banks following heavy rains.
Officials said the river rose 26ft (8m) in just 45 minutes.
Dalton Rice, city manager for nearby Kerrville, told reporters that flooding struck before dawn and “over a very short period of time, that could not be predicted”
“This happened within less than a two-hour span,” he said.
W. Nim Kidd, director of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, said weather forecasts “did not predict the amount of rain that we saw”.
Here is a map showing the location of the floods.
A map showing the location of the floods.A map showing the location of the floods.Share
In footage carried by the BBC, the mayor of Kerrville Joe Herring said earlier:
We will rescue those in peril and we will find those who are missing.
I’d also ask, please pray for our community.
This is a hard day and there will be hard days to come.
Here are some more images coming to us over the wires.
A drone view shows flooded houses in San Angelo, Texas. Photograph: Patrick Keely/ReutersA drone view of a house swept down the road in San Angelo, Texas. Photograph: Patrick Keely/ReutersTrees emerge from flood waters along the Guadalupe River on 4 July 2025 in Kerrville, Texas. Photograph: Eric Vryn/Getty ImagesShare
CNN is reporting on residents of Kerrville, Texas, who had to flee for their lives during the flash floods.
“We had to drive over live power lines to get out of here because the only other way we could go was underwater,” Candice Taylor told CNN affiliate KENS.
Zerick Baldwin told KENS: “If I would’ve slept in my truck or something, I would have been gone…The waters came so quickly. If I had stayed, I wouldn’t have even known what hit.”
Here is some footage of the floods in Texas.
Catastrophic flooding event sweeps through western Texas – video