Dozens Confirmed Dead From Historic Flooding
At least 27 people have been confirmed dead, including residents of Kerr and Kendall counties in Texas Hill Country, after flash floods slammed the Guadalupe River area early yesterday morning (July 4).
Up to 10 to 12 inches of torrential rains hit the area, driven partly by remnants of Tropical Storm Barry, triggering flash flood emergencies.
The Guadalupe River surged dramatically, rising approximately 22 to 29 feet in under two hours, sweeping away cabins, roads, and everything in its path.
According to Major General Thomas Suelzer, adjutant general for the state of Texas, as of Friday night 237 people have been evacuated, including 167 by helicopter.
Young Girls Missing At “Camp Mystic”
Officials estimate that between 23 and 25 people are still missing from Camp Mystic, a children’s summer camp along the river, though the exact number remains unconfirmed.
Young girls ranging in age from 7 to 17 are among those missing; many believed to have been staying together in cabins at the camp.
Families have posted images of the girls, pleading for any information on their whereabouts, with two confirmed deceased in the devastating floodwaters.
Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick said rescuers are holding on to hope that those lost are still alive.
“That does not mean they’ve been lost,” Patrick said during a press conference. “They could be in a tree. They could be out of communication. We’re praying for all those missing to be found alive.”
Search & Rescue Efforts Continue
Rescuers continue their search efforts to find survivors in the dangerous floodwaters.
Many incredible stories of survival have emerged, with one 22-year-old woman found clinging for life waiting to be rescued in a tree.
“A 22-year-old woman was rescued from a tree in Center Point, TX after she reportedly floated for more than 10 miles down the Guadalupe River from Ingram, TX. She told emergency crews the water swept her away around 4 a.m. – that was six hours before she was rescued at 10 a.m.,” Gage Goulding, a reporter at KPRC 2 Houston, posted on social media. “The woman was spotted by Carl Jester, who happened to be outside and heard the woman calling for help in the tree.”
