Recent flash floods in Texas have resulted in at least 24 fatalities, with over 20 children reported missing. This devastating event unfolded as the Guadalupe River surged 26 feet in under an hour, during the July 4 festivities. The floodwaters swept away mobile homes, vehicles, and holiday cabins.
Rescue operations continue as teams search for as many as 25 children who were at Camp Mystic, a summer camp near Kerrville. The camp, established in 1926, is designed for girls in the second grade and above to enhance their confidence and independence. In the wake of the floods, the camp has been left without WiFi, electricity, and water.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick emphasized that the missing children might not be ‘lost,’ suggesting they could simply be out of communication range.
Dalton Rice, Kerrville’s city manager, elaborated on the rapid rise of the Guadalupe River.
“When you look at the headwaters of the Guadalupe… there’s a north and a south fork,” Rice explained to the press.
“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.”
He continued, “This rain event sat on top of that and dumped more rain than what was forecasted on both of those forks. When we got the report, it was about 7 feet or so on the south fork, and within a matter of minutes it was up to 29 feet, and all of that converged at Guadalupe.”
Col. Freeman Martin, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, stated on Friday, July 4: “We brought in over 100 troopers this morning. And they’ve worked all day, rescues, high water vehicles, boats, rescue divers, seven rescue helicopters with hoist capabilities.”
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 addressed the press, calling the floods a ‘terrible thing.’ “It looks like some young people have died,” he remarked, noting that his administration will collaborate with Abbott to provide aid and support during this challenging time.
In an earlier statement on Friday, Abbott declared: “Texas is providing all necessary resources to Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt and the entire Texas Hill Country dealing with these devastating floods. The State of Texas today has mobilized additional resources in addition to the resources sent in preparation for the storms. I urge Texans to heed guidance from state and local officials and monitor local forecasts to avoid driving into flooded areas.”