In a catastrophe that is being described as one of the most deadly weather disasters in recent Texas history, at least 13 people have lost their lives and more than 20 children remain unaccounted for after an unprecedented wave of flash flooding swept across several counties overnight. The disaster struck with terrifying speed, transforming rivers into torrents that consumed everything in their path—including a beloved girls’ summer camp where dozens of children were asleep in their cabins.
Among the missing is the 9-year-old daughter of State Senator Caroline Ortiz, a widely respected lawmaker whose advocacy for children has made her a familiar figure in Texas politics. The Senator’s office confirmed her child was attending a weeklong camp program and was among those last seen as counselors attempted to evacuate cabins before the floodwaters overtook the property.
A Night of Terror and Confusion
The chain of events began late last evening, when a stalled thunderstorm system unleashed what meteorologists described as “unprecedented rainfall rates” across central Texas. Over 14 inches of rain fell in a window of less than six hours, shattering records and overwhelming flood defenses.
According to Blanco County Emergency Management, the Blanco and Pedernales Rivers rose by more than 25 feet in some locations within a two-hour period, sending walls of water through neighborhoods, campgrounds, and rural roads.
Survivors described terrifying scenes as water poured through doors and windows without warning.
“It sounded like a freight train,” said Maria Salinas, whose family narrowly escaped their home before it collapsed. “We never got a flood alert. One minute we were dry, the next minute the water was chest high.”
At Cedar Creek Girls’ Summer Camp, located in a low-lying area near the Blanco River, more than 70 children and staff were sleeping when the first wave struck shortly after 1 a.m. Camp administrators attempted to move the girls to higher ground, but rescue crews reported that the rising water quickly made evacuation routes impassable.
Parents received frantic phone calls and text messages as counselors tried to coordinate an escape.
“My daughter called me screaming that the water was already up to her bunk bed,” said Hannah Lewis, whose 11-year-old daughter was later rescued by boat. “Then the call just cut off. I didn’t know if she was alive for hours.”
Search and Rescue Efforts Stretch Resources to the Limit
As dawn broke over the region, the extent of the devastation became clear. Entire sections of the camp were swept downstream, and vehicles were piled in mangled heaps along the riverbanks.
Hundreds of responders from state and federal agencies joined local fire departments, law enforcement, and the National Guard in a desperate search for survivors. Helicopters circled overhead, while swift-water rescue teams navigated debris-choked currents to reach stranded families.
Officials confirmed that 13 bodies have been recovered so far, though they cautioned that the number is likely to rise as searches continue.
“We are working every minute to locate the missing,” said Sheriff Marcus Devlin, who grew emotional as he described the efforts to reach children trapped inside collapsed cabins. “These are some of the most difficult conditions I’ve ever seen.”
The Governor’s Office confirmed that more than 40 people have been hospitalized, many suffering from hypothermia, fractures, and lacerations sustained while clinging to debris or attempting to escape.
The Daughter of a Public Figure Among the Missing
News that Senator Caroline Ortiz’s daughter was among the unaccounted-for children spread quickly through Texas political circles and beyond.
Aides said the Senator was in Austin when she received word of the flooding. She was flown by helicopter to a staging area near the camp shortly before sunrise.
“She is determined to be here, supporting the search and comforting other families,” one staff member said. “Right now, she’s a mother first.”
Her office released a brief statement:
“Senator Ortiz and her family are grateful for the heroic efforts underway to locate the missing children. They ask for continued prayers and privacy during this devastating time.”
A Community Rallies Amid Heartbreak
Throughout the morning, churches, schools, and civic centers across the region opened their doors to the displaced. Volunteers carried in supplies—blankets, bottled water, diapers, and food—as exhausted survivors arrived with little more than the clothes on their backs.
At First Baptist Church of Johnson City, cots and blankets lined the fellowship hall. Dozens of families waited, huddled together in shock, hoping for word about their missing loved ones.
“We don’t even know if our daughter made it out of her cabin,” said Mark Ellison, whose 10-year-old was attending the camp. “Nobody can tell us anything for sure.”
Counselors, some in tears and wrapped in emergency blankets, described frantically trying to lift children onto rafters and roof sections as the water surged around them.
“I kept telling them to hold on,” said Kayla Price, a senior counselor. “I never thought I’d have to make those kinds of choices. We tried to save everyone.”
An Unprecedented Weather Disaster
Experts say the rainfall intensity and speed of the flood surge have no modern precedent in this part of Texas.
NOAA meteorologist Dr. Erik Walsh stated that preliminary data indicates a “1-in-500-year” rainfall event:
“This was an extremely localized, high-intensity storm that stalled over already saturated soil. Rivers rose faster than warning systems could update.”
Climate scientists warn that such events are becoming more frequent as warming temperatures increase atmospheric moisture.
Government Response and Federal Aid
Governor Jacob Holloway has declared a statewide emergency, authorizing National Guard deployments and requesting federal disaster assistance.
President Ellen Morris spoke briefly from the White House:
“Our hearts are with the families experiencing unimaginable grief. We are coordinating closely with Texas authorities to ensure every possible resource is brought to bear.”
A FEMA incident management team is already en route to assist with recovery and shelter coordination.
How You Can Help
Authorities urged the public to:
Stay away from affected zones to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles. Donate to established organizations such as the Central Texas Red Cross or Texas Baptist Disaster Relief. Report any sightings of missing persons or debris that could indicate survivors to the dedicated hotline: (800) 555-9012.
Conclusion: A Community in Mourning, United in Hope
This morning, as helicopters crisscross the sky and rescue teams comb every inch of riverbank, Texas stands together in grief and resolve.
For the families waiting in shelters, the hours stretch into an agonizing test of faith and endurance. For first responders, the mission is clear: find every missing child, no matter how long it takes.
Though the waters have receded, the scars of this disaster will remain etched in hearts and communities for years to come. Yet even in this darkest hour, the outpouring of compassion and courage has proven stronger than any storm.