US authorities have confirmed that 32 people, including 14 children, have died following catastrophic flash floods in Texas. The floods have prompted a desperate search for survivors, with dozens of children still missing from a girls’ summer camp. More than 850 individuals have been rescued, some found clinging to trees, after a sudden storm unleashed up to 38cm of rain in the Guadalupe River area, approximately 140km northwest of San Antonio.
The disaster struck with ferocity, as the fast-moving waters rose eight meters in just 45 minutes before dawn on Friday, sweeping away homes and vehicles. The situation remains perilous, with torrential rains continuing to batter communities outside San Antonio on Saturday. Flash flood warnings and watches are still in effect as search and rescue teams utilize helicopters, boats, and drones to locate victims and rescue those stranded by washed-out roads.
“We will not stop until we find everyone who is missing,” declared Nim Kidd, the chief of the Texas Department of Emergency Management, during a press conference on Saturday afternoon. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha reported that the bodies of 32 individuals, comprising 18 adults and 14 children, have been recovered so far.
Rescue Operations and Challenges
Authorities face mounting scrutiny over whether adequate warnings were issued to camps and residents in flood-prone areas and if sufficient preparations were made. The Guadalupe River hills in central Texas are dotted with century-old youth camps and campgrounds, popular destinations for families, especially around the July Fourth holiday. This popularity complicates efforts to determine the number of missing individuals.
City Manager Dalton Rice stated, “We don’t even want to begin to estimate at this time.” The devastation at Camp Mystic was profound, with the camp reportedly “completely destroyed,” according to Elinor Lester, a 13-year-old camper. She recounted how a helicopter arrived to evacuate people amid the chaos, describing the experience as “really scary.”
Community Impact and Response
Frantic parents and families have turned to social media, posting photos of missing loved ones and pleas for information. On Saturday, Camp Mystic was largely deserted, with helicopters overhead and a few individuals surveying the damage, including a pickup truck overturned and a building missing its front wall.
Among the deceased was an eight-year-old girl from Mountain Brook, Alabama, who was attending Camp Mystic, and the director of another nearby camp. The flooding caught many by surprise in the Hill Country, a region northwest of San Antonio known for its susceptibility to flash floods due to its terrain and numerous water crossings.
AccuWeather and the National Weather Service had issued warnings about potential flash flooding hours before the disaster. AccuWeather stated, “These warnings should have provided officials with ample time to evacuate camps such as Camp Mystic and get people to safety.” Officials, however, defended their actions, citing the unexpected intensity of the downpour, which delivered months’ worth of rain in a short period.
Looking Forward
As search crews continue their efforts under challenging conditions, the focus remains on locating every missing person. City Manager Dalton Rice emphasized the exhaustive search efforts, stating that teams are “looking in every possible location.” The incident has sparked discussions on improving warning systems and emergency preparedness in flood-prone areas.
The tragedy underscores the need for enhanced safety measures and robust infrastructure to withstand such natural disasters. As communities begin to recover, the emphasis will be on rebuilding and ensuring that such a catastrophe does not recur.
