First responders search tirelessly for the missing in flood-ravaged Texas. Image source: Facebook/Jonathan Petramala Storyteller
(The Post News)- At least 50 people, including 15 children, have died after severe flash floods struck central Texas, authorities confirmed on Saturday. Rescue teams are still combing through affected areas in a desperate effort to locate dozens of missing individuals, and officials warned the number of casualties could still increase.
While Kerr County suffered the worst of the flooding, nearby regions were also hit hard. Officials in Travis County reported four deaths and said 13 people remain missing. Another fatality was confirmed in Kendall County.
More than 850 people have been rescued so far, some of whom were found clinging to trees as they tried to escape the rapidly rising waters. The flooding followed an intense and sudden storm that dropped as much as 15 inches (38 cm) of rain around the Guadalupe River, located northwest of San Antonio.
Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice stated that 27 girls from Camp Mystic summer camp are still unaccounted for, and he noted there may be even more missing individuals that have not yet been reported.
The situation escalated quickly early Friday morning, when heavier-than-expected rainfall caused the river to rise dramatically—reaching up to 29 feet (9 meters).
A senior local official, Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, explained that although the region is familiar with river flooding, the scale and speed of this particular event were completely unexpected.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said 17 of those confirmed dead, including five children, have not yet been identified due to the chaotic circumstances.
The National Weather Service reported that the worst of the flash flooding has passed in Kerr County, following storms that dropped over a foot of rain—nearly half of the area’s typical annual rainfall. A flood watch remains in effect for surrounding areas.
Known as a popular holiday destination, Kerr County was particularly busy with tourists for the Independence Day weekend.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said it remains uncertain how many people were camped out or staying in temporary or rental accommodations along the river for the holiday celebrations, which may complicate the effort to determine how many are still missing.
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