Texas flooding newest: 14 kids amongst 32 lifeless whereas frantic search continues for lacking summer time camp ladies
Four girls missing from a summer camp were found dead as a desperate search for dozens of other campers continues after devastating floods hit Texas, killing at least 32.
The death toll rose to 32 as of Saturday afternoon, with 18 adults and 14 children having died as a result of what Texas GOP Congressman Chip Roy called a “once-in-a-century flood.”
As of Saturday morning, at least 850 had been rescued or evacuated, officials said.
There are also 27 girls still missing from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe River that was ravaged by the floods, officials said.
Four girls who attended Camp Mystic have been found dead, according to reports, marking a tragic end to a day-long search. Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem said she plans to visit the camp.
The unexpected flash flooding struck on Friday after torrential rain along the Guadalupe River. The destructive force of the fast-rising waters just before dawn on Friday washed out homes and swept away vehicles.
The entire river is being searched, with boats, ground crews, and air assets conducting searches, said Nim Kidd, Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
President Donald Trump has described the floods as “terrible” and “shocking.” He agreed to provide Texas with federal emergency aid, Noem said.
Death toll rises to 32, Kerr County Sheriff says
The death toll after the floods has risen to 32, with 18 adults and 14 kids having lost their lives in the disaster, the Kerr County sheriff said.
Five of the adults and three of the children remain unidentified, Sheriff Larry Leitha said.
Kidd said his team is still looking for search for people, noting recovery efforts have not yet begun.
Officials detail response after after ‘once-in-a-century flood’
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said he lives along the Guadalupe River: “Our properties were devastated.”
He saw body bags and seen firsthand the devastation from the floods. The judge added: “We know we get rains, we know the river rises. But nobody saw this coming.”
Texas GOP Congressman Chip Roy called the disaster a “once-in-a-century flood.”
Nim Kidd, Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, said his team refuses to quit searching until every missing person has been found: “We will not stop until we find every one of them.”
There are 1,300 additional personnel working on the response as well as 906 state assets, Kidd said.
Noem plans to visit Camp Mystic, she says at news conference
In 36 hours, more than 850 people have been rescued, the governor said.
Noem said she plans to visit Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp along the Guadalupe River from where 27 girls have gone missing.
President Trump is ‘heartbroken’ by Texas floods, Noem says
“Know that President Trump is absolutely heartbroken by what’s happened here in Texas,” Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem said at Saturday afternoon press conference, noting the president is committed to using federal resources to help the state.
She called the disaster “unprecedented.”
“We will be relentless in going after and making sure we locate every single person who has been a victim of this flooding event,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said. “We’re not going to stop today or tomorrow. We’ll stop when the job is completed.”
After signing a disaster declaration on Friday, the governor signed an expanded declaration to include additional counties impacted by the heavy rainfall and floods. Abbott also signed a request for federal assistance.
“That relief will be coming,” Noem said. She noted that Trump indicated he would accept the request.
In photos: The aftermath of the floods in Kerrville
How the Texas Hill Country flood went from small water flow to deadly tide
A powerful flash flood hit Central Texas’ Hill Country late Friday into early Saturday, leaving at least 27 people dead, including children, while many more are still missing.
Most of the missing were attending Camp Mystic, a popular summer camp along the Guadalupe River.
What began as a routine flood watch quickly turned into a deadly disaster. The National Weather Service predicted between 1 and 3 inches of rain, with some isolated spots possibly getting 5 to 7 inches. Instead, parts of Kerr County were slammed with 10 to 15 inches, and in some places, over 20 inches, within a few hours.
San Antonio Express-News newsroom meteorologist Anthony Franze said the storm was fueled by warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and leftovers from Tropical Storm Barry. These combined to create a slow-moving weather system that stayed over the area and dumped heavy rain over hills and valleys.
Erin Keller has the story.
Officials to provide updates on search and rescue efforts
State and federal officials will host a press conference at 2.45 p.m. local time “to update Texans on ongoing search & rescue efforts in counties affected by flooding,” according to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s press office.
More rain is expected to hit south central Texas
A flash flood watch is now in effect for parts of Texas near Austin and San Antonio, the National Weather Service warned.
The rain is expected to pummel the same area that has been hit with lots of rain over the past 24 hours.
“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” the agency warned.
Two others confirmed dead in Travis County, officials say
Two others have died and an additional 10 have been reported missing after floods ravaged the region, according to Travis County Emergency Services District 1.
One of the missing people is a 17-year-old girl, according to KXAN.
“We literally had homes that were washed away. We had people trapped in homes,” Travis County Fire Chief Donnie Norman told KXAN. Many of these residents were rescued, he added.
Officials have urged locals to resist the urge to join the search.
“Don’t become a statistic, please stay home,” Norman added.
Two more campers confirmed dead after catastrophic floods
The families of two girls who went missing after floods devastated Camp Mystic — Sarah Marsh and Lila Bonner — confirmed the tragic news.
Alabama Republican Senator Katie Boyd Britt issued a statement regarding Marsh’s passing. “Wesley and I are heartbroken over the loss of Sarah Marsh, and we are keeping her family in our thoughts and prayers during this unimaginable time,” she wrote Saturday afternoon.
“We continue to pray for the victims’ loved ones, the survivors, those who are still missing, and our brave first responders as search and rescue efforts continue in Texas.”
Bonner’s family sent a statement to CNN about their 9-year-old: “In the midst of our unimaginable grief, we ask for privacy and are unable to confirm any details at this time,” the family said in a statement. “We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly for others to be spared from this tragic loss.”
Source: independent.co.uk
