Dozens dead in Texas after devastating floods slam Hill Country, officials say

Dozens of people died in central Texas in what officials called a “mass victims event” after sudden floods have criticized the country of the hill, with water rescues that take place along the Guadalupe river.

Until now, around 24 deaths have been reported, Kerr’s County Sheriff said on Friday at a press conference.

“In 45 minutes, the Guadalupe river increased by 26 feet and it was a destructive flood-taking goods and unfortunately lives,” said Lieutenant-Governor Dan Patrick earlier at a press conference on Friday afternoon, adding that they had had 12 inches or more rain per hour.

The Kerr County Sheriff’s Bureau said in a press briefing that 13 people died during the floods. Patrick said that around six to 10 bodies had been found and that the situation is fluid and in progress. He said he expects the number of deaths that increase.

There are hundreds of people on the ground from various units that help research and rescue operations, said Patrick, including water swimmers, 12 drones and 14 helicopters.

Texas expressed emergencies of sudden floods in five counties in western Texas on Friday while Hill Country continues to be criticized by serious rains and floods. Between 5 and 11 inches of rain fell in the northwest of the county of Bandera, the center of the county of Kerr, the northeast of the county of Tom Green, the county of East Central Kerr and the center-west of the county of Kendall, according to the National Weather Service.

About 20 people not counted at the Mystic Camp

Patrick spoke to the parents of children from the Mystic camp, where there were about 750 children at the summer camp when the floods struck. Lieutenant Governor, who acts as governor while Governor Greg Abbott is on vacation, said around 20 children were not counted on Friday. He said they were praying for everyone who is missing “are found alive”.

“If they are alive and safe, we will find them and bring them home,” said Patrick.

The camp said in a statement, read by Patrick, that there had been a “catastrophic level” of floods. He told parents who were looking at the press conference that if they had not been contacted, their child is counted at the moment.

Patrick said that Camp Mystic is a summer camp for girls in the region that has several camps with thousands of children for the summer. The camp said they had no power, no water and no Wi-Fi, adding that “the highway has taken hold, so we find it difficult to get more help”.

Earlier Friday, the city of Kerrville, Texas, said in an article on social networks: “Research and recovery efforts are underway and increases as water is retreating.”

Water rescues continue along the Guadalupe river in Kerr County, with a number of participating local and regional emergency services, said the city. The Guadalupe river in Hunt has reached its second higher height ever recorded, greater than the famous 1987 flood, said the city, citing the National Weather Service.

Senator Ted Cruz said in a press release published on social networks: “Please pray now for everyone in the country of the hills, in particular the Mystic Camp.” He said several helicopters were doing research and a rescue and added that he had spoken with Governor Abbott, Lieutenant Gov Patrick, chief of the Texas Division of emergency management and President Trump.

“President Trump committed everything that Texas needs,” said Cruz.

Abbott said the state had mobilized resources to help those dealing with floods.

“Texas provides all the resources necessary for Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt and the whole of Texas Hill Country dealing with these devastating floods,” Abbott said in a statement on Friday. “The state of Texas has today mobilized additional resources in addition to the resources sent in preparation for storms. I urge the Texans to take into account the advice of state and premises managers and monitor local forecasts to avoid driving in flooded areas.”