At least 24 people have died and dozens are missing after catastrophic floods hit Texas. Among the missing are more than 20 girls who were staying at a summer camp.
From Camp Mystic near Kerrville, 23 people went missing after the Guadalupe River flooded and rose to over nine meters on Friday. The identities of the deceased are unknown, but it is feared that the death toll will rise.
The identities of the missing have begun to emerge as families share photos of their loved ones in hopes of receiving information about them. Parents of the missing girls are in shock as they await news from the ongoing search efforts.
“We’re just praying,” said the mother of missing nine-year-old Janie Hant.
Officials emphasized their hope to rescue many of the missing, stating they still hope to find most of them safe and sound. However, the sheer scale of the destruction—buildings ripped from their foundations and cars swept away like toys by the torrent—suggests the tragedy could be even greater.
Among the names of the missing circulating on social media are: Virginia Hollis, Annie Fleck, Hadley Crossman, Syle Steward, Wynn Naylor, Linney McCown, Mary Grace Baker, Molly DeWitt, Sarah Marsh, Anna Margaret Bellows, and Blakely McCrory.
Rescue teams, using boats and helicopters, are searching flooded areas for survivors, AP reported. Heavy rains, which fell in record amounts in some parts of the region in just a few hours, caused flash floods in the Guadalupe River.
According to the latest information from Sheriff Larry Leite, 24 people have died in Kerr County, and so far, 237 people have been rescued, including 167 evacuated by helicopter.
The missing persons were primarily housed at “Camp Mystic,” a Christian camp near the town of Hunt, where children were exposed to a wild torrent that suddenly flooded the camp. Thirteen-year-old Elinor Lester, one of the survivors, told the media how the children from her camp were rescued by helicopter after having to hold onto ropes while crossing a flooded bridge. According to official data, out of 750 girls attending the camp, 23 are listed as missing.
Rescue teams continue their efforts to find and rescue everyone still trapped in the floods. Texas had already been under flood warnings, but meteorologists say the speed at which the water rose exceeded all predictions. A river gauge in Hunt registered a rise of 6.7 meters within just two hours, while floodwaters in some areas reached levels of nearly nine meters.
National Weather Service meteorologist Bob Fogarty emphasized that the speed of the water’s movement was crucial. “The water is moving so fast, you won’t realize how bad it is until you’re in it,” he said.
Although storm and flood forecasts were in place, Kerr County officials state that there was no adequate warning system, which exposed the population to significant risk. “No one knew such a flood would occur,” said Judge Rob Kelly.
Furthermore, in previous years, the area was known for major flash floods, and the current situation is described as the most dangerous in recent decades. The Texas Hill Country, known for its popular tourism industry along the Guadalupe River, has suffered immense damage. This region, known for summer camps and recreation, now faces significant losses, with almost the entire infrastructure destroyed by the floods.
Source: Kurir, Photo: Printscreen / Texas county
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