(LifeSiteNews) — More than 20 little girls are missing in the aftermath of sudden flooding in Texas.
Early on the morning of Friday, July 4, torrential rains in Kerr County, Texas, led to the Guadalupe River rising over 26 feet within one hour. A flash flood swept over the area, killing at least 24 people and leaving almost two dozen children from Camp Mystic unaccounted for.
Camp Mystic is a private Christian summer camp for girls. There were 750 girls there when the flood hit.
As the flood began around 4 AM local time, it is believed that the children were asleep.
Among those confirmed dead is Renee Smajstrla, 9.
Today Bishop Joseph Strickland, a native of Texas, expressed sorrow for the disaster and asked for prayers.
Statement from Bishop Joseph Strickland
Pillars of Faith Apostolate
July 5, 2025My heart is heavy with sorrow as we witness the devastation caused by the catastrophic floods in Texas Hill Country. So many lives have been lost, and many more remain missing—including precious… pic.twitter.com/SD8crORV8y
— Bishop J. Strickland (@BishStrickland) July 5, 2025
“So many lives have been lost, and many more remain missing—including precious children from Camp Mystic,” the bishop posted on X.
“As a shepherd of souls, I weep with the families who mourn, and I lift up fervent prayers to our Lord Jesus Christ, who Himself wept at the tomb of Lazarus and who draws near to the broken-hearted,” he continued.
“In times like these, we are reminded of how fragile life is and how deeply we depend upon the mercy and power of God. I ask all the faithful to join me in praying for those who have perished, for those still unaccounted for, and for the heroic first responders and volunteers risking their lives to search and rescue. The Church must not be silent when our people are suffering. Now is the time to bring Christ’s compassion into every shelter, every devastated home, and every grieving heart.”
LifeSiteNews also asks readers to pray for the victims of the flood and their families.
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