Deadly flash flood strikes Texas, leaves 13 dead and 20 missing

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Destructive flash floods roared across south-central Texas on Friday, killing at least 13 people and leaving more than 20 girls from a summer camp missing. The Guadalupe River increased a record-breaking 26 feet in a matter of 45 minutes, surprising residents and campers. Camp Mystic, where about 750 campers were spending the July 4 long weekend, was catastrophically flooded, with the director saying there was no power, water, or Wi-Fi.

Social media videos captured homes and trees being uprooted by the floodwaters, which were caused by as much as 12 inches of heavy rain in some spots – about one-third of Kerr County’s yearly rainfall. Texas Governor Greg Abbott posted a harrowing video of a rescue effort, in which a victim was rescued from a tree by a rescuer who was suspended from a helicopter. “Round-the-clock air rescue missions like this one are being conducted. We will not rest until everyone is accounted for,” he said.

More than 500 rescue workers and 14 helicopters have been sent to the region, and the Texas National Guard and US Coast Guard are assisting. State public safety director Freeman Martin cautioned that an additional wave of rain was set to strike areas near San Antonio and Austin, stating, “The rain has slowed down, but we’re aware there’s another wave coming.” The flood-prone region was also pointed out by Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, who explained the Guadalupe River is ranked as being among the most hazardous river valleys in the US.

There are ongoing rescue operations, with officials calling on citizens to relocate to elevated areas close to the Guadalupe River as a result of the ongoing flood risk. The latest flooding comes after another fatal flash flood in San Antonio in mid-June killed at least 10 people. Officials are working to locate the missing and helping those affected.

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