By Admin 
July 7, 2025 — Austin, Texas — In a catastrophe described by emergency officials as the most lethal flash flood event in decades, at least 13 people have died and more than 20 children are missing after torrential rains sent walls of water racing through Central Texas overnight.
Among the missing is the young son of international football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who had been visiting the girls’ summer camp with friends when the floodwaters rose without warning.
The flooding, which struck before dawn, has left a swath of devastation across Travis and Hays counties. Entire homes were swept from foundations, roads disappeared under rushing currents, and thousands of residents were forced to flee in the darkness.
A Night of Terror
According to meteorologists, a stalled low-pressure system combined with tropical moisture to unleash rainfall rates exceeding 4 inches per hour in some locations. By midnight, creeks had transformed into rivers, and by 3 a.m., those rivers had become torrents.
“It was like a dam broke,” said Sheriff Mark Caldwell. “Cabins were lifted off their piers and carried away. Parents didn’t have time to get to their children.”
At the affected girls’ summer camp—an annual retreat for children ages 7 to 14—counselors tried desperately to evacuate cabins as floodwaters surged through the property. Witnesses described a scene of chaos: children crying in the darkness, staff shouting instructions over the roar of the water, and sudden power failure plunging the area into pitch-black confusion.
When daylight came, what remained was a landscape of shattered buildings, overturned vehicles, and debris tangled in trees.
The Search for Ronaldo’s Son
Within hours, news emerged that among the camp’s missing was Cristiano Ronaldo’s son, whose first name has not been released publicly. The boy was participating in a short-term exchange program organized by a European nonprofit.
Ronaldo’s representatives issued a statement early Monday:
“At this time, we are focused entirely on supporting rescue efforts and the families affected. We ask the media and public to respect the privacy of all involved.”
Rescuers say locating the missing children is their top priority, but treacherous currents and impassable roads have hampered efforts. Helicopters and inflatable boats have been deployed to comb the area cabin by cabin, searching for survivors.
Families Cling to Hope
At a staging area just outside the camp entrance, anxious parents have gathered since before dawn. Some are clutching photographs of their children, hoping for any news.
“I keep thinking she’s going to walk up behind me,” said Teresa Alvarez, whose 9-year-old daughter, Sofia, is among the missing. “I can’t leave until they find her.”
Dozens of volunteers and faith-based groups have arrived to help, offering water, blankets, and emotional support to families waiting for word.
An Overwhelmed System
Texas Governor Maria Torres has declared a state of emergency, mobilizing the National Guard and requesting federal assistance.
“This is a tragedy beyond anything we could have imagined,” Torres said at a press conference. “We will not rest until every missing person is accounted for.”
Despite these efforts, local officials acknowledge that the scale of the disaster has stretched resources to the limit. Many communities remain cut off, with collapsed bridges and washed-out roads preventing aid convoys from reaching remote areas.
Emergency shelters have been established in schools and churches across Austin and San Marcos, but supplies are already running low.
A Climate Warning
Scientists have long warned that climate change is driving more frequent and intense rainfall events in the central United States.
Dr. Aisha Reynolds, a hydrologist at the University of Texas, said that while Texas is no stranger to floods, the speed and severity of this event were almost without precedent:
“It was a perfect storm—extreme moisture in the atmosphere, saturated ground, and outdated infrastructure not built for this kind of rainfall.”
The disaster has renewed calls for significant investments in flood control systems, early warning technology, and evacuation planning.
Ronaldo’s Influence Spurs Global Attention
International media outlets have converged on Texas, partly because of Ronaldo’s connection to the tragedy. Supporters from around the world have flooded social media with messages of solidarity, using hashtags such as #PrayForTexas and #FindTheChildren.
Charities affiliated with Ronaldo have already pledged additional donations to aid search and rescue efforts.
“His family is in agony,” said a source close to Ronaldo. “But he is determined to do whatever he can to help all the families suffering through this nightmare.”
What Happens Next
With more storms forecast and floodwaters still rising in low-lying areas, officials are urging residents to remain vigilant and avoid non-essential travel.
The coming days will be critical, as rescue teams race against time to locate missing children and elderly residents.
Authorities have set up a hotline for families searching for loved ones and are asking the public not to attempt rescues themselves, citing dangerous conditions and unstable debris.
A Community United in Grief and Determination
For now, the people of Central Texas—and families around the world watching in heartbreak—are clinging to hope that more survivors will be found.
One exhausted volunteer, who had been searching since midnight, summed up the feeling shared by many:
“We’re not giving up. We will keep going until we bring them home.”