Catholic response to catastrophic flash floods in Texas

You'll no doubt have heard of the flash floods causing destruction and devastation in Texas’ scenic Hill Country over the July 4 holiday. At latest report at time of publication, at least 27 people have been killed and many more are unaccounted for as rivers and creeks swelled in communities like Kerrville.

The catastrophic storms dumped over 10 inches of rain in some areas, causing the Guadalupe River to rise roughly 30 feet within 45 minutes. By Friday night Gov. Greg Abbott had declared multiple counties in “state of disaster” to unlock all available aid for affected residents, as shared by OSV News.

One of the worst-hit sites was Camp Mystic, a nearly century-old Christian girls’ summer camp founded in 1926 on the banks of the Guadalupe River. The camp, which typically hosts hundreds of girls ages 7–17, was evacuated overnight as the floodwaters surged.

According to Catholic news reports, at least 20 campers (and a few counselors) remain missing following the evacuation. The Daily Mail has further reported on a number of girls who've been confirmed dead, as well as the incredible rescue of a child clinging to a tree 12 miles downstream from the camp.

Texas officials continue to search the flooded woods, and teams of helicopters, drones and boats continue to comb the area.

Church leaders immediately called the faithful to prayer.

The Archdiocese of San Antonio asked Catholics to pray “for all those affected by the historic flooding,” especially “those who have died as well as those who are still missing."

Its statement pledged that the Archdiocese will stand with survivors in “these challenging circumstances,” and prayed that those impacted “will find the strength to rebuild,” urging everyone to “answer Christ’s call to love one another."

On the ground, Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller and Auxiliary Bishop Michael Boulette traveled to Kerrville to offer support. Notre Dame Church in Kerrville opened its gym as an emergency shelter for flood evacuees, and the Catholic Charities Mobile Relief Unit arrived with food, clothing, hygiene kits and water for those in need.

The Archdiocese also announced special Masses this weekend to pray for victims and grieving families. On Sunday, July 6, Archbishop García-Siller will preside at Masses in Kerrville and San Antonio dedicated to those lost and missing.

Other Texas dioceses similarly offered prayers. The Diocese of Beaumont announced a Mass “for all those affected by the Hill Country flooding,” even naming local parishioners who died, and prayed “especially” for victims like Aiden, Ella, Joyce, Reese and Mary Grace.

The Diocese of Austin asked Catholics to join in prayer with their Hill Country neighbors; diocesan administrator Father James Misko invoked Our Lady of Prompt Succor (patroness of those in storms), asking God to “bring to a calm the rushing rivers,” keep the missing safe and protect the rescuers.

State and federal officials also appealed for solidarity. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick promised anxious parents that authorities would do “everything humanly possible to find your daughter". U.S. Senator Ted Cruz took to social media urging Catholics to pray “for everyone in the Hill Country, especially Camp Mystic,” noting that “multiple helicopters are performing search & rescue” and that the White House had pledged “anything Texas needs."

Communities across Texas have begun to rally with donations and volunteer efforts, and Catholic churches from west to east Texas continue to mobilize relief for the flood victims.

Meanwhile you can join others with this prayer shared by the Archdiocese of San Antonio:

In this video posted by Jonathan Petramala, you can see some of the devastation caused by the floods.