Hopes of locating some of the 170-plus missing individuals following the devastating floods along the Guadalupe River in Texas were fading on Wednesday. Officials in the worst-affected county reported that they had not rescued anyone alive since the initial flood. The flash flooding on July 4 has resulted in the loss of at least 119 lives, a number that continues to increase as search and rescue teams scour through debris. Among the deceased are at least 27 children and counselors from Camp Mystic, a beloved girls’ Christian camp situated by the river. The camp, along with nearby homes and campgrounds, was quickly overwhelmed by the flooding early Friday morning.
In Kerr County, the death toll rose to 95 on Wednesday, with 36 of the casualties being children. The number of missing persons in Kerr County alone stands at 161, as stated by Governor Greg Abbott. The search efforts include five campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic. The last successful rescue was conducted on Friday, with diminishing hopes of finding more survivors as time passes.
The tragedy extended to Ruidoso, New Mexico, where authorities confirmed the deaths of at least three individuals, including two young children, due to severe flooding from the Ruidoso River on Tuesday.
High-profile disasters like the ones affecting central Texas often prompt Americans to donate to relief efforts. However, such calamities also attract scammers seeking to exploit the public’s generosity. It is crucial to discern legitimate relief organizations from fraudulent ones when offering assistance.
Amid the tales of tragedy, there were also acts of heroism. A patrol sergeant from Kerrville, stranded by the flood along the Guadalupe River, led rescue efforts, saving numerous individuals trapped in vehicles or on rooftops. Together with a detective and volunteer firefighters, they conducted rescues, provided aid, and coordinated evacuations, showcasing selfless service and courage in the face of adversity.
Lamb mentioned that the situation could have been much worse. Kerrville has warned that victims’ bodies may be within debris piles. The police department urged residents not to disturb the debris piles without first contacting a search team to check for any victims. They advised against using heavy equipment to remove the debris and provided a phone number for residents to request assistance from the search team before attempting cleanup.
At Camp La Junta, staff rescued campers after floodwaters threatened the cabins. Counselors quickly moved the children to safety, even carrying some to higher ground. Thanks to their swift actions, all 400 children and counselors at the all-boys camp were safe and unharmed. Parents praised the staff for their heroic efforts in ensuring the children’s safety.
In Texas, officials have avoided answering questions about whether enough warnings were issued regarding the catastrophic flooding. Sheriff Leitha focused on locating missing individuals but assured that inquiries about the response time to alerts would be addressed in due course. Governor Abbott hinted at a possible investigation into the tragedy, emphasizing the need to focus on recovery rather than assigning blame.
As the weather in central Texas improves, search efforts may be impacted by scattered storms and hot temperatures. Despite the challenges, drier days are expected ahead, providing some relief for ongoing recovery operations.
Forecasters are predicting high temperatures in the upper 80s to 90s across the region for the day. The National Weather Service office covering Austin and San Antonio mentioned that temperatures will feel even hotter in the upcoming days, possibly reaching the low 100s according to AccuWeather. Near Kerrville, there may be scattered thunderstorms on Wednesday afternoon.
Despite the storms carrying less moisture than those on July 4, the ground, already saturated, is at risk of flash flooding, as warned by AccuWeather. The storm and shower activity are expected to lessen after Wednesday night and continue to decrease through the rest of the week, although isolated activity remains a potential danger, forecasters added.
In tragic news, an Odessa police officer lost his life in the July 4 flooding near Kerrville, as reported by officials. Officer Bailey Martin’s body was identified on July 7 after being reported missing over the weekend. He was on a trip with family members to the Guadalupe River near Kerrville for the Fourth of July weekend, the Odessa police department stated. Some of Martin’s family members were also casualties of the flooding.
Amid these events, residents are urged to stay safe during floods. It only takes 6 inches of rapidly moving water to cause harm, and swift-water rescues have been conducted in affected areas. Remember to prioritize safety and follow necessary precautions during flooding incidents.
In Texas on July 4th, a heavy downpour caused the Guadalupe River to rise over 26 feet in less than an hour, leading to severe flooding, as reported by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. To stay safe during a flood, consider the following tips:
– Exercise caution while driving: Remember the saying, “Turn around, don’t drown.” Most flash flood fatalities in the U.S. occur when individuals attempt to drive through flooded areas and end up drowning.
– Stay informed about weather conditions: Keep track of updates using cell phones or radios, and be attentive to wireless emergency alerts (WEA) on your phone, which are notifications sent by authorized government agencies through mobile carriers.
– If you find yourself in a flood, seek higher ground immediately.
– Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters.
Stay safe and be prepared for unforeseen weather events.
