Texas flood fatalities hit 50, 27 girls missing

HUNT, United States, July 7 ------ Rescue workers searched for 27 girls missing from a riverside summer camp in the US state of Texas, after torrential rains caused devastating flooding that killed at least 50 people — with more rains pounding the region. “We have recovered 43 deceased individuals in Kerr County. Among these who are deceased, we have 28 adults and 15 children,” said Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha.

Leitha earlier put the number of evacuated people at 850, including eight reported injured. Addressing a press conference, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he was expanding a state disaster declaration and was requesting additional federal resources from US President Donald Trump.

Texas Department of Emergency Management chief Nim Kidd said air, ground and water-based crews were scouring the length of the Guadalupe River for survivors and the bodies of the dead. “We will continue the search until all those who are missing are found,” he said.

The flooding began Friday — the start of the fourth of July holiday weekend as months’ worth of rain fell in a matter of hours, causing the Guadalupe River to rise by 8 meters in 45 minutes. The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that more rainfall was forecast, and that “excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.” Multiple flash flood warnings remained in place over the weekend in central Texas.

Devastation at Camp Mystic

On Saturday, Sheriff Leitha said 27 children from the Camp Mystic Christian summer camp in the flooded Kerr County were still missing. Around 750 girls were enrolled at the camp.

US media reported that four of the missing girls were dead, citing their families. The camp, located along the banks of the Guadalupe, was a picture of disarray, with blankets, mattresses, teddy bears and other belongings caked in mud. The windows of camp cabins were shattered, apparently by the force of the water.

‘Catastrophic’

Department of Homeland Security head Kristi Noem told a press conference that Trump wanted to “upgrade the technologies” at the weather service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Trump’s administration has faced criticism from scientists and disaster management agencies after cutting funding and hundreds of staff at the NOAA, in charge of weather forecasts and preparedness, and the NWS. “We need to renew this ancient system,” Noem said.

When asked about claims that residents were given insufficient warning of the floods, Noem said she would “carry your concerns back to the federal government.” Officials have said the speed and level of flooding were shocking. “We didn’t know this flood was coming,” Kerr County official Rob Kelly said.

Kerrville city official Dalton Rice said rescuers were facing “very difficult” conditions, warning people against traveling to the site. Rice added it was not known how many people may have been visiting the popular camping area, and declined to give an overall figure for how many were missing. With rescuers fanning out across the region, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring urged the community to come together. “People need to know today will be a hard day,” he said.

Source: manilatimes.net