Catastrophic Flooding Devastates Central Texas: At Least 25 Dead, Children Among Missing
Central Texas is reeling today from catastrophic flash floods that began on Friday, July 4th, leaving a trail of death and destruction. As rescue efforts intensify, officials are calling the situation a "mass casualty event," with at least 25 fatalities confirmed across Kerr and Kendall counties.
The Guadalupe River, particularly near the small community of Hunt, has become a torrent, with some areas experiencing an astounding 29-foot rise in water levels within minutes overnight. This dramatic surge, fueled by 5 to 12 inches of torrential rain in just a few hours, has swept away homes and vehicles, rendering numerous roads impassable.
Desperate Search for Missing Children:
A grim focus of the ongoing rescue operations is the desperate search for at least 20 to 25 girls missing from Camp Mystic, a summer camp situated along the rampaging Guadalupe River. Reports indicate that some of the confirmed deceased are also children, deepening the tragedy.
"Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this horrific event," stated a local emergency official this morning, emphasizing the scale of the disaster.
Ongoing Rescue Efforts Amidst Continued Threat:
Search and rescue teams, utilizing helicopters and drones, are working tirelessly to locate missing individuals and evacuate stranded residents. So far, over 230 people have been rescued, with 167 of those air-lifted to safety.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has swiftly issued a disaster declaration for several affected counties, unlocking vital resources for the monumental response effort. However, the danger is far from over. Flash flood emergencies and flood watches remain in effect for parts of Central Texas, with more heavy rainfall anticipated throughout Saturday.
Authorities are urging residents in affected and at-risk areas to remain vigilant and follow all evacuation orders. The floods are partially attributed to the lingering remnants of Tropical Storm Barry, which continues to bring moisture to the region.
The focus remains on saving lives and accounting for all those impacted by this unprecedented natural disaster.
