Texas flooding newest: Two campers discovered useless as determined seek for ladies lacking from summer season camp continues
Two 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 24.
The unexpected flash flooding struck on Friday after torrential rain along the Guadalupe River.
As of Friday night, at least 237 had been rescued or evacuated, including 167 by helicopters, Reuters reported.
The destructive force of the fast-rising waters just before dawn on Friday washed out homes and swept away vehicles.
The total number of missing was not known but the sheriff said between 23 and 25 of them were girls who had been attending Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp along the river.
At least 400 people were on the ground helping in the response, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said. Nine rescue teams, 14 helicopters and 12 drones were being used, with some people being rescued from trees.
U.S. president Donald Trump has described the floods as “terrible” and “shocking”.
WATCH: Water rages in downtown Kerrville
The ‘catastrophic’ amount of rainfall is unusual for the area, experts say
Flash floods struck west-central Texas, causing the Guadalupe River to rise to a whopping 29 feet from just less than 8 feet in a matter of hours on Friday morning, according to the National Water Prediction Service.
“The flooding damage is catastrophic,” Kerrville Police Officer Jonathan Lamb told The Washington Post. “It’s the worst flood that we’ve ever seen.”
Just before 5.30 a.m. on Friday, the National Weather Service warned of a “swath of 5 -10″ of rainfall has been estimated the last 3-6 hours across south-central Kerr County.” The service wrote: “This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION and a Flash Flood EMERGENCY is in effect.”
To put that in perspective, Kerr County typically gets 32 inches of rain per year.
First Lady Melania Trump sends prayers for Texas flood victims
First Lady Melania Trump issued a statement in the wake of the devastating floods that have claimed 24 lives and have left at least two dozen children missing.
“My heart goes out to the parents in Texas during this difficult time. I am holding you in my thoughts and sending prayers for strength, comfort, and resilience,” she wrote in a social media post Saturday morning.
Rescue efforts continue after 237 people found
More than 230 people have been rescued as of Friday night after catastrophic floods rampaged the region, state officials have said.
The forecast “did not predict the amount of rain that we saw,” Nim Kidd, the chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, said at a press conference Friday. The National Weather Service data predicted three to six inches of rain, he said.
Officials confirmed 24 fatalities, but did not provide names. The search continues for the more than 20 campers who have gone missing.
What is Camp Mystic?
Floods have devastated Camp Mystic, a Christian all-girls summer camp where at least two dozen campers have gone missing.
The camp is 99 years old and is located in west-central Texas on the banks of the Guadalupe River.
According to the camp’s website, campers try to meet the “Mystic ideals,” which are to “be a better person for being at Mystic”, “let Mystic bring out the best in them,” and to “grow spiritually.”
What officials have said
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a disaster declaration Friday night, allowing search and rescue efforts to continue overnight across 15 counties.
“I am working in coordination with the state’s emergency response team on the significant flooding that occurred in the Hill Country and Concho Valley regions in the early hours of this morning,” Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick said in a Friday night statement.
“The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office has reported catastrophic flooding in the area, with several people missing and confirmed loss of life. Additional rain is forecast in those areas. Even if the rain is light, more flooding can occur in those areas. There is an ongoing threat for possible flash flooding from San Antonio to Waco for the next 24 to 48 hours in addition to the continued risks in west and central Texas,” he warned.
President Donald Trump called the flooding “terrible.” He signaled federal aid was on the way: “We’re working with the governor. We’re working with the governor. It’s a terrible thing.”
In pictures: Desperate rescue efforts underway
‘I was scared to death’
At a reunification center set up in Ingram, families cried and cheered as loved ones got off vehicles loaded with evacuees, Reuters reports.
Two soldiers carried an older woman who could not get down a ladder. Behind her, a woman in a soiled T-shirt and shorts clutched a small white dog.
Later, a girl in a white “Camp Mystic” T-shirt and white socks stood in a puddle, sobbing in her mother’s arms.
Barry Adelman, 54, said water pushed everyone in his three-story house into the attic, including his 94-year-old grandmother and 9-year-old grandson. The water started coming through the attic floor before finally receding.
“I was horrified,” he said. “I was having to look at my grandson in the face and tell him everything was going to be OK, but inside I was scared to death.”
Watch: Deadly flooding in Texas captured from bridge
Popular tourism area prone to flooding
The area where the flooding took place is known as “flash flood alley” because of the hills’ thin layer of soil, said Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, which was collecting donations to help nonprofits responding to the disaster.
“When it rains, water doesn’t soak into the soil,” Dickson said. “It rushes down the hill.”
River tourism industry is a key part of the Hill Country economy. Well-known, century-old summer camps bring in kids from all over the country, Dickson said.
“It’s generally a very tranquil river with really beautiful clear blue water that people have been attracted to for generations,” Dickson said.
Source: independent.co.uk
