At the least 109 individuals died in flash floods that hit central Texas over the weekend, with not less than 161 nonetheless lacking, authorities stated in an replace on Tuesday afternoon.
Gov. Greg Abbott informed reporters in a July 8 press briefing that these figures are more likely to rise, due partially to the world’s recognition with campers.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha stated that lots of of first responders are on the scene in flooded areas across the Guadalupe River, with native, federal, and state personnel working to get better our bodies or find lacking individuals.
5 campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic are nonetheless lacking, the sheriff additionally stated. The camp, which is situated in Hunt, confirmed Monday that not less than 27 youngsters and counselors died within the floods. Identification is pending for 19 adults and 7 youngsters who had been discovered lifeless.
When requested about those that are lacking, Leitha stated, “It’s exhausting to know that quantity. I do know the numbers that we’ve discovered, and that’s all I do know.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott deliberate to make one other go to on Tuesday to the century-old, Christian summer time camp for women. Officers stated on Monday that 10 campers and one counselor had been nonetheless lacking.
“Our hearts are damaged alongside our households which might be enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We’re praying for them always,” the camp stated in a press release. “We have now been in communication with native and state authorities who’re tirelessly deploying in depth assets to seek for our lacking women.
“We’re deeply grateful for the outpouring of help from group, first responders, and officers at each degree.”
On Sunday, President Donald Trump signed a significant catastrophe declaration for Kerr County and directed the Federal Emergency Administration Company (FEMA) to answer the floods.
Trump stated he’s planning to go to Texas on Friday and informed reporters that he would have gone sooner however he would have been “of their manner” in the course of the response.
Nineteen deaths had been reported in Travis, Burnet, Kendall, Tom Inexperienced, and Williamson counties, native officers stated on Monday.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) stated that it’s “a miracle extra youngsters didn’t lose their lives” within the flooding. “I’ve by no means seen something as horrific. The cabins had eight ft of water in them,” Cruz told KPRC.
“The Hill Nation is an unbelievable a part of Texas, a part of the nation,“ he stated throughout a Monday press convention. ”The pure magnificence right here is unbelievable. The camps which have raised generations of little women and little boys and instilled character and love and religion are extraordinary establishments.”
Questions are mounting about what native officers did to warn campers and residents who had been spending the July Fourth vacation weekend within the scenic space lengthy recognized to locals as “flash flood alley.”
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Monday sent a letter to the Commerce Division, which oversees the Nationwide Climate Service (NWS), about whether or not staffing cuts impacted flood warnings being issued.
NWS issued a flood watch round 2 p.m. on July 3, greater than 12 hours earlier than the flood, for Kerr County, adopted by a flash flood warning for the world about three hours earlier than the river began surging quickly.
Savannah Pointer and The Related Press contributed to this report.
For those who discovered this text attention-grabbing, please contemplate supporting conventional journalism
Our first version was printed 25 years in the past from a basement in Atlanta. As we speak, The Epoch Instances brings fact-based, award-winning journalism to thousands and thousands of People.
Our journalists have been threatened, arrested, and assaulted, however our dedication to unbiased journalism has by no means wavered. This yr marks our twenty fifth yr of unbiased reporting, free from company and political affect.
That’s why you’re invited to a limited-time introductory provide — simply $1 per week — so you may be a part of thousands and thousands already celebrating unbiased information.
