Tragedy struck just outside San Antonio, Texas, as flash floods have claimed the lives of 24 individuals, a county official reported. This figure represents a tragic increase from an earlier count of 13 fatalities.
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“As of now, I can confirm we have approximately 24 fatalities,” stated Kerr County Sheriff Larry Lethia during a press briefing. He later reiterated the serious nature of the situation as emergency responders continue their work.
Concerns are growing as approximately “23” girls from Camp Mystic along the Guadalupe River remain unaccounted for. Mr. Patrick reassured, “That does not mean they’ve been lost; they could be in a tree, or simply out of communication.”
A message from the area highlighted, “We have no power, water, or Wi-Fi,” signaling the significant challenges faced by the local community.
Images emerging from Kerrville, Texas, depict trees rising from the floodwaters along the Guadalupe River—an unsettling glimpse into the devastation caused by the storm.
Both state and local officials are cautioning residents against traveling to the affected areas, where numerous campgrounds and roads are currently deemed “impassable.”
Social media has become a crucial platform for sharing harrowing footage of houses and trees swept away by the flash flood, spurred by a staggering 12 inches of rain overnight—amounting to one-third of Kerr County’s average annual rainfall.
Governor Greg Abbott shared a dramatic video on X platform, showing a rescuer using a helicopter to pluck a victim from a treetop while floodwaters churned violently below. “Air rescue missions like this are being conducted around the clock,” he affirmed. “We will not stop until everyone is accounted for.”
Freeman Martin, director of the Texas public safety department, characterized the flooding as a “mass casualty event.” The response effort includes approximately 500 rescue personnel and 14 helicopters, with overwhelming support from the Texas National Guard and the US Coast Guard.
“The rain has subsided, but we are bracing for another wave,” Mr. Martin warned, indicating that further precipitation is expected for areas surrounding San Antonio and Austin.
“We didn’t foresee this flood,” remarked Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, acknowledging the area’s history of flooding. “This is the most dangerous river valley in the United States,” he stated, referring to the Guadalupe River winding through the region.
Forecasters have issued a flood warning for Kerr County, urging residents living near the Guadalupe River to “move to higher ground” in anticipation of worsening conditions. It’s worth noting that just last mid-June, flash flooding had already claimed at least 10 lives in San Antonio due to similar torrential rains.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
