Recent flash floods in Texas have resulted in the deaths of at least 24 people, with reports indicating that more than 20 children are currently unaccounted for.
While people were celebrating July 4th, the Guadalupe River experienced a rapid surge, rising 26 feet in less than an hour. This sudden flooding has caused significant destruction, sweeping away mobile homes, vehicles, and holiday cabins.
Among the victims are at least 24 individuals, and search and rescue teams are actively looking for up to 25 children who were attending Camp Mystic, a summer camp located near Kerrville, which hosted approximately 750 girls.
Established in 1926, Camp Mystic is designed for girls beyond the second grade, focusing on fostering their confidence and independence.
In the aftermath of the floods, the camp has been left without essential services such as WiFi, power, and water.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has mentioned that the missing children may not be “lost,” emphasizing: “They could be out of communication.”
Dalton Rice, Kerrville’s city manager, shed light on the cause of the rapid rise of the Guadalupe River.
He explained to reporters: “When you examine the headwaters of the Guadalupe… there’s a north and a south fork.”
Rice described how the heavy rainfall affected both forks: “Since 1987, under normal conditions, if you can call it that, you’ll hit water in one of those areas, and those two forks will converge into the Guadalupe, which comes through the city of Kerrville.”
Continuing, Rice said: “The rain event deposited more water than anticipated on both forks. Initially, it was at about 7 feet on the south fork, but in mere minutes, it rose to 29 feet, with all the water converging at Guadalupe.”
Col. Freeman Martin, from the Texas Department of Public Safety, stated on Friday (July 4): “We deployed over 100 troopers this morning. They have been involved in rescues all day, using vehicles for high water, boats, rescue divers, and seven helicopters equipped for hoist operations.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott assured: “We will stop at nothing to ensure that every asset and person and plane, whatever is needed, is going to be involved in the process of rescuing every last person and ensure everybody involved in this is going to be fully accounted for.”
President Donald Trump has addressed the press, referring to the floods as a ‘terrible thing’.
Trump noted, “It looks like some young people have died,” and assured that his administration would collaborate with Abbott to provide necessary aid and support to Texas during this challenging period.
Earlier on Friday, Governor Abbott released a statement: “Texas is providing all necessary resources to Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt, and the entire Texas Hill Country dealing with these devastating floods.”
He added: “The State of Texas today has mobilized additional resources in addition to the resources sent in preparation for the storms.”
Abbott advised: “I urge Texans to heed guidance from state and local officials and monitor local forecasts to avoid driving into flooded areas.”