Texas Floods Kill 24 People as Search Goes On for Missing Girls from Summer Camp
Big Floods Hit Texas Hill Country The number of people who died from bad floods in central Texas has gone…
Big Floods Hit Texas Hill Country
The number of people who died from bad floods in central Texas has gone up to 24 as rescue teams work day and night to find more than 20 girls still missing from a Christian summer camp. The deadly flooding hit the Texas Hill Country on Friday when the Guadalupe River got too full after getting months of rain in just two hours.
Camp Mystic Girls Still Missing After River Flooding
Between 23 and 25 girls from Camp Mystic are still missing after the private Christian summer camp got hit by rising waters from the Guadalupe River. The camp sits right next to the river in Kerr County and was right in the path of the flash flooding that made water levels go up more than 20 feet overnight.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said the new death count at a news meeting Friday night. He said 237 people have been saved so far with 167 saved by helicopter. Search and rescue work continues through the night as teams try hard to find survivors trapped by the high water.
Texas Hill Country Gets Months of Rain in Hours
The record breaking flooding started when heavy rains dumped a huge amount of water across the Texas Hill Country area. The Guadalupe River which normally flows at safe levels rose to record heights in just a few hours making deadly flash flood conditions.
Weather experts say the rainfall was a once in a lifetime event that was too much for the natural water systems in central Texas. The fast rise in water levels caught many people and campers by surprise leaving little time to get away.
Rescue Work Continues in Kerr County Texas
Emergency workers from many agencies are working together to do search and rescue work across the flooded areas. Helicopters have been the main way to get people out because of the dangerous ground conditions and broken roads.
The Texas Department of Public Safety has sent more help to assist local authorities in the big rescue effort. Teams are using boats helicopters and high water vehicles to reach trapped people and keep searching for the missing campers.
Camp Mystic Christian Summer Camp Hit Hard
Camp Mystic has been running as a Christian summer camp for girls for many years giving outdoor activities and faith based programs. The camp buildings were built along the pretty Guadalupe River which under normal conditions gives a peaceful setting for fun activities.
The camp staff and counselors have been working closely with emergency workers to account for all campers and give information about the missing girls. Families have been meeting at help centers in nearby towns including Ingram Texas where they wait for news about their children.
Flash Flood Warnings Given Across Texas
The National Weather Service had given flash flood warnings for the area but the speed and strength of the flooding was worse than many predictions. Emergency management officials turned on warning systems and told residents to go to higher ground as conditions got worse fast.
Local authorities are telling residents not to travel unless they really need to and to stay away from areas with standing water. Many roads stay closed because of flood damage and debris making travel dangerous throughout the affected areas.
Central Texas Communities Help Together
Communities across central Texas are coming together to support rescue efforts and give help to flood victims. Local churches businesses and volunteer groups have opened their doors to give shelter food and supplies to those who lost their homes because of the flooding.
The American Red Cross has set up emergency shelters in the area and is working with local agencies to give quick relief to families affected by the disaster. Donations of clothing food and needed supplies are being collected at different locations throughout the area.
Guadalupe River Flooding Causes Big Damage
The flooding along the Guadalupe River has caused big damage to homes businesses and roads throughout the Texas Hill Country. Many buildings built near the riverbank have been completely destroyed or badly damaged by the rushing water and debris.
Power outages affect thousands of residents as electrical equipment was damaged by the flood waters. Utility companies are working to fix power but getting to damaged equipment stays hard because of ongoing flood conditions.
Recovery Work Begins as Search Continues
While rescue work continues recovery efforts are already beginning in some areas where flood waters have gone down. The full amount of the damage will not be known for several days as emergency workers focus on finding survivors and keeping people safe.
Insurance companies are getting ready to handle claims from the widespread property damage caused by the record flooding. State and federal agencies are also looking at the situation to decide what extra help may be needed for the recovery effort.
Climate Change Impact on Texas Weather
This latest flooding event shows the growing number and strength of extreme weather events affecting Texas and other parts of the United States. Climate scientists have warned that changing weather patterns may lead to more frequent flash flooding events in areas that do not normally have such disasters.
The combination of city development and changing rainfall patterns creates new challenges for emergency management officials who must prepare for more unpredictable weather events. This tragedy serves as a reminder of how important flood preparedness and early warning systems are.
How to Help Texas Flood Victims
People who want to help the victims of the Texas floods can donate to established relief organizations such as the American Red Cross or local community groups. Money donations are often more helpful than physical goods as they allow relief organizations to buy exactly what is needed most.
Volunteers should work with official emergency management agencies rather than going on their own to make sure their efforts support rather than get in the way of rescue operations. Many communities will need long term help as they rebuild and recover from this devastating natural disaster.
The search for the missing girls from Camp Mystic continues as this story develops. For updates on other breaking news stories including international conflicts and global security issues visit our news coverage. Economic impacts from natural disasters can also affect energy markets and commodity prices worldwide.
Emergency officials tell everyone to stay informed through official channels and follow all safety recommendations as rescue operations continue throughout the affected areas of central Texas.
