Despite swift and urgent rescue efforts in the aftermath of severe flooding across Texas, at least 161 individuals remain missing in Kerr County, where devastating conditions have left the community in despair. Governor Greg Abbott announced the concerning figures in a press conference amidst ongoing search operations, highlighting that 109 fatalities have been reported, with a significant portion occurring in the Kerrville vicinity.
This tragic event has particularly impacted Camp Mystic, a summer camp situated along the Guadalupe River, where five campers and one counselor are among those unaccounted for. As search and rescue efforts continue, Abbott stressed the commitment of emergency crews to locate every missing individual and indicated that the list of the missing may grow in the coming days.
A flash flood emergency has also been declared in neighboring New Mexico, where additional flooding has further complicated rescue operations. Residents received warnings of possible intense flooding late Tuesday, with the National Weather Service monitoring the situation closely.
Search efforts in Texas are being enhanced using advanced technology, including helicopters and drones, and over 250 responders from various agencies are working on the ground in Kerr County. However, volunteers have described the devastation as unprecedented, likening the recovery effort to "trying to find a single hay in a haystack." Access to many affected areas is challenging due to the extent of damage, hampering search initiatives.
Following the floods, questions have arisen regarding the adequacy of flood warnings and early evacuations. Abbott acknowledged that while officials had prepared for a storm and potential flooding, they did not anticipate the unprecedented scale of the disaster, which he described as akin to a "30-foot high tsunami wall of water."
Most of the fatalities occurred in the Kerr County region, where the Guadalupe River overflowed after torrential rains on Friday, coinciding with the Fourth of July holiday. Survivors, like resident Justin Brown, are now focusing on recovery and rebuilding in the wake of the destruction.
As the situation remains critical, President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit the areas heavily impacted by the flooding, following his address to the nation about the disaster's severity. In the meantime, swift rescue operations continue in New Mexico as officials contend with rapidly rising waters and reports of homes being washed away.
This tragic event has particularly impacted Camp Mystic, a summer camp situated along the Guadalupe River, where five campers and one counselor are among those unaccounted for. As search and rescue efforts continue, Abbott stressed the commitment of emergency crews to locate every missing individual and indicated that the list of the missing may grow in the coming days.
A flash flood emergency has also been declared in neighboring New Mexico, where additional flooding has further complicated rescue operations. Residents received warnings of possible intense flooding late Tuesday, with the National Weather Service monitoring the situation closely.
Search efforts in Texas are being enhanced using advanced technology, including helicopters and drones, and over 250 responders from various agencies are working on the ground in Kerr County. However, volunteers have described the devastation as unprecedented, likening the recovery effort to "trying to find a single hay in a haystack." Access to many affected areas is challenging due to the extent of damage, hampering search initiatives.
Following the floods, questions have arisen regarding the adequacy of flood warnings and early evacuations. Abbott acknowledged that while officials had prepared for a storm and potential flooding, they did not anticipate the unprecedented scale of the disaster, which he described as akin to a "30-foot high tsunami wall of water."
Most of the fatalities occurred in the Kerr County region, where the Guadalupe River overflowed after torrential rains on Friday, coinciding with the Fourth of July holiday. Survivors, like resident Justin Brown, are now focusing on recovery and rebuilding in the wake of the destruction.
As the situation remains critical, President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit the areas heavily impacted by the flooding, following his address to the nation about the disaster's severity. In the meantime, swift rescue operations continue in New Mexico as officials contend with rapidly rising waters and reports of homes being washed away.
