The recent flooding in central Texas has brought a wave of tragedy, with the death toll surpassing 100, including a heartbreaking loss of 27 girls at a riverside camp, according to local authorities.
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As reported by the sheriff’s office, confirmed fatalities in Kerr County alone have reached 84, with 10 Camp Mystic campers and one counselor still reported missing. In addition, several other nearby counties have recorded at least 17 deaths.
Emergency teams continue to search for numerous missing individuals, while bracing for the potential of heavy rains and thunderstorms in the coming days. Mayor Joe Herring Jr. candidly stated, “This will be a rough week.”
In communication with local and state authorities, Camp Mystic has expressed its deep concern for the situation.
Most of the fatalities occurred in Kerr County, where pre-dawn torrential rains transformed the Guadalupe River into a ferocious torrent in under an hour last Friday. The waters devastated Camp Mystic, a nearly century-old retreat for girls.
In a heartfelt statement, the camp remarked, “Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy.” They confirmed that ten girls and a counselor remain unaccounted for.
Image shows a U.S. flag positioned near the Guadalupe River, which overflowed its banks, resulting in this devastating flooding.
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz shared his sorrow with reporters, noting, “Texas is grieving right now – the pain, the shock of what has transpired these last few days has broken the heart of our state.” He added, “The children, little girls, who were lost at Camp Mystic, that’s every parent’s nightmare.”
Watch: Ted Cruz discusses the increasing death toll.
Tragically, Richard “Dick” Eastland, 70, the co-owner and director of Camp Mystic, lost his life while attempting to save the children during the flood. As noted in the Austin American-Statesman, Mr. Eastland and his wife, Tweety, have owned the camp since 1974. His grandson, George Eastland, poignantly expressed on Instagram, “If he wasn’t going to die of natural causes, this was the only other way, saving the girls that he so loved and cared for.”
In Hill Country, where the flooding was most severe, forecasts predict an additional 50 to 100 mm of rain, with isolated areas potentially seeing up to 254 mm. Meteorologist Allison Santorelli from the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center cautioned that the risk of new flooding could be particularly acute due to saturated soil and debris in and around the river.
Prior to the July Fourth holiday, state emergency management officials had warned of potential flash flooding based on National Weather Service predictions.
Watch: Former President Trump mentions plans to visit Texas on Friday.
Mr. Trump announced his intention to visit the disaster site, likely on Friday. He has previously suggested a reduction in the federal government’s role in natural disaster responses. Some experts have raised concerns that budget cuts during the Trump administration may have hindered accurate flood predictions and timely warnings.
According to former NOAA Director Rick Spinrad, the Trump administration’s decisions led to significant staff reductions in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, leaving many weather offices understaffed. Mr. Trump responded to inquiries about the impact of these cuts by stating, “That water situation, that all is, and that was really the Biden setup.” However, he also added, “But I wouldn’t blame Biden for it, either. I would just say this is a 100-year catastrophe.”
In a call for accountability, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has urged a U.S. government watchdog to investigate whether budget cuts contributed to any gaps in flood forecasting.
Watch: Time-lapse footage shows dramatic changes in Llano River water levels.
In a time of tragedy and uncertainty, the resilience of the affected communities is being tested, and our thoughts are with all who have been impacted by this disaster.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
