Flash floods in Central Texas on Friday caused at least 50 deaths, including Jane Ragsdale, director of Heart O’ the Hills Camp. Ragsdale had worked at the camp since the 1970s and became director in 1988. A former camper said, “Jane was, which is crazy to like say in the past tense, such a strong woman.” The floods hit the Texas Hill Country, especially along the Guadalupe River, where water levels rose 26 feet in 45 minutes. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha reported over 40 bodies recovered and raised concerns about the area’s flood warning systems, according to Click2Houston.
Flooding in Texas has caused deaths and missing persons across several counties. In Kerr County, 43 people died, and 11 campers from Camp Mystic are still missing. About 750 children were at the camp when the flood started. Other affected areas include Travis, Burnet, and Tom Green Counties. Travis County confirmed four deaths, while at least six people are missing in Burnet County. More than 160 air rescues have taken place. Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said, "We've been rescuing people out of these camps by the hundreds, you know, all day." Governor Greg Abbott signed a disaster declaration to support rescue and recovery efforts, as reported by CBS News.
Heavy and unexpected rainfall caused the Guadalupe River to rise quickly to near-record levels, despite preparations by the Texas Division of Emergency Management. Areas like Bandera and Kerr Counties received between 5 and 11 inches of rain, which made the flooding worse. Rescue operations are ongoing, with multiple agencies using drones and helicopters to search for missing people. Officials are urging the public to follow safety guidelines and warnings.
