Tragically, a summer camp for Christian girls in central Texas has reported that at least 27 campers and counselors were among those who lost their lives in the devastating floods that swept through the area over the weekend. Emergency responders continue to search for dozens of individuals who remain missing, all while facing the threat of further heavy rains and thunderstorms.
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The death toll from the floods that began on Friday now exceeds 80, and authorities anticipate that this number may rise as search teams navigate the muddy riverbanks and survey the flood-ravaged landscape. There remains a flicker of hope to find more survivors amid the wreckage. As Mayor Joe Herring Jr. succinctly stated during a briefing, “This will be a rough week.”
The camp has been in close contact with both local and state authorities as they work through this crisis.
Most of the victims—48 adults and 27 children—lost their lives in Kerr County, where the Guadalupe River transformed overnight, with torrential downpours creating a violent surge in less than an hour on Friday.
In a heartfelt statement, the camp expressed, “Our hearts are broken alongside the families enduring this unimaginable tragedy.” Unfortunately, ten girls and a staff member are still unaccounted for, underscoring the desperation of the ongoing search efforts.
A US flag stands near the overflowed banks of the Guadalupe River, a somber reminder of the loss experienced by so many.
US Senator Ted Cruz remarked on the rising death toll. “Texas is grieving right now,” he noted. “The pain, the shock of what has transpired these last few days has broken the heart of our state.” He further emphasized the tragedy of the lost children, stating, “The children, little girls, who were lost at Camp Mystic, that’s every parent’s nightmare.”
In a poignant turn of events, Richard “Dick” Eastland, 70, the co-owner and director of Camp Mystic, reportedly died while trying to save the children from the flood. “If he wasn’t going to die of natural causes, this was the only other way,” reflected Eastland’s grandson, George, on Instagram. “He loved and cared for those girls deeply.”
In Hill Country, where the flooding has been particularly severe, meteorologist Allison Santorelli from the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center indicated that an additional 2 to 4 inches of rain is expected, with some areas potentially facing up to 10 inches. “The potential for new floods could be especially hazardous given the already saturated soil and the debris around the river,” she warned.
State emergency officials had previously cautioned the public about the elevated risk of flash floods, highlighting the severity of the situation ahead of the July Fourth holiday.
In the aftermath, former President Donald Trump expressed intentions to visit the disaster site, likely on Friday. His previous remarks about scaling back the federal government’s role in natural disaster responses have sparked debate about the adequacy of disaster preparedness and response. Critics have questioned whether staffing cuts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) hindered timely forecasting and effective warnings.
In response to recent inquiries, Trump cited external factors, saying, “That water situation, that all is, and that was really the Biden setup.” He added, “But I wouldn’t blame Biden for it, either. I would just say this is a 100-year catastrophe.”
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has called for an investigation to determine if budget cuts contributed to any delays or inaccuracies in flood forecasting.
Amidst these heartbreaking circumstances, the efforts of rescue workers continue as they sift through debris in hopes of finding survivors. As one community mourns, the resilience and compassion of many will be crucial in healing.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
