Texas Flash Flood Kills 51, Video Shows River Rising in 45 Minutes
A devastating flash flood struck central Texas on July 4, killing at least 51 people, including 15 children, and leaving several others missing. The Guadalupe River overflowed, turning roads into raging waters in just 45 minutes, according to NBC News.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, particularly at Camp Mystic near Kerrville, where 750 girls were attending summer camp. Up to 20 are still unaccounted for, though Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick said they may just be out of communication.
A timelapse video shared on Twitter and TikTok shows the terrifying speed of the flooding — what began as a quiet stream became a destructive river within minutes. A family filmed the floodwaters rising rapidly during a July 4 outing, with the river engulfing trees and land in under an hour.
The video has sparked online criticism, with many blaming the lack of timely flood warnings. Some commenters suggested cuts to the National Weather Service budget contributed to the disaster, though the NWS has since issued new flood advisories.
Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency across affected areas as search and rescue operations continue.
