Following Texas’s flash floods, at least 24 people have died and over 20 children are reported missing.
Mobile homes, cars, and vacation cabins were washed away by the floodwaters when the Guadalupe River climbed 26 feet in less than an hour as people started celebrating July 4.
Rescue crews are still looking for up to 25 children who were among the 750 girls attending the summer camp Camp Mystic south of Kerrville, while at least 24 people have died.
Founded in 1926, the camp helps girls above the second grade develop their self-esteem and independence.
After the floods, it was left without water, electricity, or WiFi.
The missing children are not necessarily “lost,” according to Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who also stated that “they could be out of communication.”
Kerrville’s municipal manager, Dalton Rice, gave an explanation for the rapid ascent of the Guadalupe River.
He told press: “When you look at the headwaters of the Guadalupe… there’s a north and a south fork.
“Since 1987, under normal conditions, if you can call it that, you’ll hit water in one of those areas, and those two forks will converge into the Guadalupe, which comes through the city of Kerrville.”
Rice continued: “This rain event sat on top of that and dumped more rain than what was forecasted on both of those forks.
“When we got the report, it was about 7 feet or so on the south fork, and within a matter of minutes it was up to 29 feet, and all of that converged at Guadalupe.”
Col. Freeman Martin, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, said on Friday (July 4): “We brought in over 100 troopers this morning. And they’ve worked all day, rescues, high water vehicles, boats, rescue divers, seven rescue helicopters with hoist capabilities.”
In the meantime, Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated: “We will stop at nothing to ensure that every asset and person and plane, whatever is needed, is going to be involved in the process of rescuing every last person and ensure everybody involved in this is going to be fully accounted for.”
In interviews with the media, President Donald Trump has called the flooding a “terrible thing.”
According to Trump, “it looks like some young people have died,” and his government would collaborate with Abbott to offer the state assistance and support during this very trying time.
In a statement provided earlier on Friday, Abbott said: “Texas is providing all necessary resources to Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt and the entire Texas Hill Country dealing with these devastating floods.
“The State of Texas today has mobilized additional resources in addition to the resources sent in preparation for the storms.
“I urge Texans to heed guidance from state and local officials and monitor local forecasts to avoid driving into flooded areas.”