Kerr County parents grasp for information about missing kids after Independence Day Flood

AUSTIN (KXAN) – What should have been an annual day of celebration turned to tragedy as severe overnight storms caused an Independence Day flood killing at least 24 in Kerr County and leaving over 20 young girls missing.

Camp Mystic, an all-girls private Christian summer camp sitting next to Guadalupe River, was flooded during the July 4 storm event causing several inches of rainfall and rising river levels.

Early in the day camp officials released a statement to parents stating, “If your daughter is not accounted for, you have been notified,” while saying girls in parts of the camp have been found safe.

In a press conference, Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly responded to questions about those unaccounted for saying, “we know that there are some missing. We know where some of them are. They’re stranded, and we’re working to confirm that with people out at Camp Mystic.”

On the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, parents posted hopes their children would be found.

“Please post this if you can. Still searching for precious Molly and so many other girls from Mystic,” wrote one person on the Sheriff’s Facebook page.

Members of Camp La Junta, a boys camp in Hunt, Texas, were also affected by the Independence Day Flood.

Tracy Thorne asked the Sheriff’s department, “My son is at Camp La Junta with no power, 75% of camp wiped out, kids are scared and limited food and water, roads are blocked. Will you be sending aid to them soon?”