Texas flood death toll rises to 67, with at least 11 girls still missing.
In a tragic turn of events, the death toll from the catastrophic flooding in Texas’ Hill Country reached 67 on Sunday, as emergency responders persistently searched for survivors in the affected areas. The search continues as 11 girls from the large Christian sleepaway camp, Camp Mystic, remain unaccounted for. Among the deceased, 59 individuals were discovered in Kerr County, including an alarming count of 21 children, as reported by local authorities.
The storm’s impact extended beyond Kerr County, resulting in further fatalities: four deaths were registered in Travis County, three in Burnet County, and one in Kendall County. Unfortunately, additional reports of missing persons have emerged from these regions as search and rescue operations continue unabated.
The severity of the situation heightened following a sudden surge in the Guadalupe River, which rose an astonishing 26 feet within a span of just 45 minutes on the morning of July 4. Rainfall rates peaked at an astonishing 12 inches per hour, triggering flash floods in a region that attracts many visitors during the Independence Day holiday. Camp Mystic was hosting over 750 girls at the time, contributing to concerns regarding the safety of those present.
In the immediate aftermath of the flooding, authorities faced difficulty in estimating the number of individuals in the flooded area. Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice expressed the uncertainty surrounding the full scope of the disaster, emphasizing the need for thorough assessments.
Within the first 36 hours following the storm, more than 850 individuals were rescued from the floodwaters, yet the dimensions of the tragedy grew clearer over the weekend, rendering the search for survivors increasingly urgent. Local rancher Joseph Eisenbach volunteered his services to aid in the search efforts, motivated by compassion for the victims’ families.
Rescue teams deployed heavy machinery to navigate through the debris, which included uprooted trees, abandoned vehicles, and layers of mud. Although the Guadalupe River’s water levels began to recede, forecasts indicated the possibility of additional rain on Sunday and Monday, causing concern for ongoing rescue operations.
The Hill Country region of Texas is notorious for its susceptibility to flash floods. The National Weather Service had issued alerts preceding the flooding event, yet critical emergency warnings were disseminated in the early hours when many individuals, including campers and residents, were likely asleep. Unlike some neighboring camps, Camp Mystic did not relocate its campers and staff to higher ground prior to the onset of the storm.
As rescue efforts persist, local communities grapple with the aftermath of this devastating flooding event, which has claimed numerous lives and left many families in grief. Search and recovery efforts highlight both the challenges faced in crisis response and the resilience of those determined to assist their neighbors.
Media News Source
