The death toll from catastrophic floods sweeping central Texas climbed to 81 on Sunday, one of the deadliest flood events in recent memory. Among the victims were 28 children as communities brace for more heavy rainfall in the coming days.
Flash flooding struck after torrential downpours dumped up to 38 centimeters of rain across a 140-kilometer stretch northwest of San Antonio. The nearby Guadalupe River burst its banks on the U.S. Independence Day holiday, turning campgrounds and local roads into swift-moving waterways.
At Camp Mystic, a century-old Christian girls' summer camp, rescuers raced against time to find 10 campers and one counselor still unaccounted for. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha described the scene as 'nothing short of horrific' as search teams comb the area for survivors.
Over the weekend, more than 850 people were rescued, some pulled from rising waters while clinging to trees. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who toured hard-hit areas on Saturday, warned that flash flooding could persist and urged residents to stay alert for emergency updates.
President Donald Trump offered his condolences to families affected by the disaster and is expected to visit the region on Friday. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) resources have been activated, and U.S. Coast Guard helicopters and planes are aiding in search and rescue operations.
As heavy clouds roll in again, local leaders and first responders are bracing for a critical few days ahead, highlighting the resilience of communities facing rapid-onset natural disasters.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
