At Least 24 Killed in Texas Flash Floods, Over Two Dozen Teen Campers Missing. Due to heavy rains and severe thunderstorms, the U.S. National Weather Service has issued a state of emergency in various parts of Kerr County. The region has seen nearly a foot of rainfall.
At least 24 people have been killed in a devastating flash flood on the Guadalupe River in Texas, United States. Several others were reported missing in the disaster, which resulted from torrential rain, local authorities stated. The accident occurred on Friday, July 5.
Among the missing are more than 23 teen girls who attended a Christian summer camp. Authorities confirmed the girls were at “Camp Mystic,” a private girls’ summer camp on the Guadalupe River in Kerr County.
During a Friday evening local time press conference, Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared that the rescues would continue throughout the night and, if needed, throughout Saturday. He stated,
“All equipment that is needed will be used in the rescue.”
United States President Donald Trump, speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One, said,
“We are watching the situation and will do whatever is necessary to assist them.”
Due to the heavy thunderstorms, the National Weather Service did indeed make emergency proclamations in some areas of Kerr County, where the rainfall totaled nearly a foot.
Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice told reporters in a statement that the river crested at a dangerous level suddenly and unexpectedly sometime early this morning, so no advance warning was possible.
He said,
“It all came so fast that even the weather radar did not predict it. The river rose to dangerous levels in two hours.”
Earlier Thursday, the Texas Division of Emergency Management had issued the threat of heavy rain and a flash-flooding danger for western and central Texas. Friday night, though, saw the division’s director, W. Nim Kidd, stating at a news conference,
“The amount of rainfall we received was far more than had been forecast.”
Because of the flood, several of the planned Independence Day celebrations for Friday, including fireworks displays, were canceled in Kerr County and the surrounding area.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha reported that there had been 24 deaths counted as of Friday night as a result of the flood—twice the number reported earlier that day.
Prayers for the Missing
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick made the announcement Friday afternoon that an estimated 750 children and teenagers had attended camps along the river, and 23 teenage girls remained missing. He stated,
“We are praying that all those missing are found alive.”
The authorities verified that the remaining campers were rescued safely, and the rescue operation continued throughout the day.
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly stated, “Everybody is working to get the kids out safe.” He also reported widespread damage to residential neighborhoods, campgrounds, and recreational vehicle parks within the community.
When asked why warnings had not been issued earlier, Judge Kelly said,
“We had no forecast of such a disaster. Flooding is usual here, but we’ve never had anything so severe.”
Despite the Texas Emergency Management Division alert on Thursday and an increase in the number of rescue personnel deployed, the situation deteriorated much quicker than anticipated.
Lieutenant Governor Patrick went on,
“In 45 minutes’ time, the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet.”
As of Friday evening, 237 people had either been rescued or evacuated, 167 of them being airlifted to safety.
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With more rain expected, flash flood warnings persist for a wide area from San Antonio to Waco in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration in Kerr County and several of the affected surrounding counties to enable quick response. The authorities also confirmed that the U.S. Coast Guard members and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have teamed up with local authorities in the rescue efforts that are underway.
Source: TBS
