TEXAS FLOODS CLAIM 13 LIVES, DOZENS STILL MISSING

Heavy downpours in Central Texas have caused devastating flash floods, resulting in at least 13 deaths and leaving many others unaccounted for. The Guadalupe River swelled to historic highs, catching residents off guard and prompting widespread evacuations.

According to Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha, the situation is dire, and the death toll is likely to rise. “We don’t know when it’s going to stop raining,” Leitha said at a news conference. “I think there will be more [deaths] when this is over.”

One of the hardest-hit areas was Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp located along the banks of the Guadalupe River. The camp was flooded, and approximately 23 girls are still unaccounted for, out of a total of around 750 campers. Texas Lt. Gov Dan Patrick reported that the majority of the children were evacuated to higher ground but are without power and awaiting rescue.

Patrick urged caution, stating that the missing girls might be stranded or out of communication range. “That does not mean they’ve been lost, they could be in a tree, they could be out of communication,” he said. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with authorities deploying boats, helicopters, and drones to locate those stranded by the floodwaters.

The floods have also left many families searching for loved ones, with some reporting no prior warning or emergency alerts. “We got no emergency alert. There was nothing,” said Matthew Stone, a resident of Kerrville. “Then it was a pitch black wall of death.”

The region’s geography makes it prone to flash flooding, with the thin soil unable to absorb heavy rainfall. Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, explained that the water rushes down the hills, causing rapid rises in water levels.

As rescue operations continue, officials warn that the situation remains critical, and further rain is expected. The Texas National Guard and US Coast Guard have joined the rescue efforts, with Governor Greg Abbott sharing footage of aerial rescues on social media. “Air rescue missions like this are being done around the clock. We will not stop until everyone is accounted for,” he said.