That's what it's about

• A flash flood swept away cars, cabins, and people in Texas.
• Numerous children are missing from the Camp Mystic summer camp.
• So far, 24 bodies have been recovered, including two girls (9) and the director of Camp Mystic.
• Desperate parents are posting photos of the missing people online, while others are reporting dramatic scenes.
• Rescue teams evacuated over 200 people, many by helicopter.
• The exact number of missing people remains unclear.

There was little warning when the Guadalupe River rose nearly 8 meters in less than an hour. The floodwaters swept away cars, campers, and cabins where people were spending the Fourth of July weekend.

A state of emergency has been declared in several districts because several roads have been washed away and telephone connections have been cut off.

The search for up to 25 girls from the Christian summer camp Camp Mystic, 104 kilometers northwest of San Antonio, is proceeding dramatically.

Had to swim out of our hut

Most of the 750 participants, ages 7 to 17, were evacuated as the floodwaters rose. However, some children were swept away by the water. The camp said it was assisting with search and rescue efforts but had no electricity or water. A nearby highway was washed away.

Stressed parents post photos and report dramatic rescues: girls who were clinging to trees or swimming downstream were taken to Camp La Junta, a summer camp for boys. There, all the children are safe.

Two brothers from the camp say we were surprised by the floodwaters around 4 a.m. We had to swim out of our hut.

With taut rope

Camp Mystic was completely destroyed, said 13-year-old Elinor Lester. A helicopter landed and began taking people away. It was truly terrifying.

The girls were awakened in their hut early Friday morning. Rescue workers had strung a rope for the girls to hold on to while crossing a bridge, while water rushed around their knees.

Two 9-year-olds and camp leader died

So far, 24 bodies have been recovered. According to Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, these include adults and children. According to US media, the confirmed flood victims include two nine-year-old girls and the camp director (70).

Hope

General Thomas Suelzer of the Texas National Guard said at a press conference that rescue teams had evacuated or rescued 237 people, 167 of them by helicopter. The exact number of missing people is unknown.

Vice Governor Patrick tried to offer some hope to desperate parents, saying missing children may have escaped to trees and could still be found. The situation remains unclear.

Camp Mystic for politicians' daughters

Camp Mystic is a Christian summer camp for girls on the Guadalupe River. It was founded in 1926 and has been run by the same family since the 1930s.

Daughters from families across Texas and the country attend the camp. According to Texas Monthly, former First Lady Laura Bush worked as a counselor at Camp Mystic before marrying George W. Bush.

James Baker, who served as chief of staff to Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, sent his daughter and a granddaughter to Camp Mystic.

The daughters, granddaughters and great-granddaughters of President Lyndon B. Johnson – successor to John F. Kennedy – also spent their summer at Camp Mystic.

Between 1943 and 1945, Camp Mystic was used as a recreation camp for World War II veterans. Apart from that, it has been in continuous operation since its founding.

The camp's website states that the goal is to provide young girls with a healthy Christian atmosphere where they can develop outstanding personal qualities and self-esteem. Camp activities include archery, cooking, cheerleading, and fishing. Camp Mystic's Instagram account features videos from this summer featuring children dancing.