Flash floods in Texas have killed over 100 people and left others missing, particularly girls attending a summer camp along the Guadalupe River outside San Antonio. The devastating disaster drew a massive search effort as officials face questions about their preparedness and response.
The Texas Hill Country is prone to flash flooding due to its dry soil and hills, which allow rain to skid across the surface rather than soaking into it. A particularly bad storm on Friday brought 12 inches of rain in just two hours, triggering a flood watch and urgent warning from the National Weather Service. By Saturday morning, water levels had risen 26 feet in just 45 minutes.
At least 87 bodies have been found in Kerr County, including 30 children, with five girls and one counselor still unaccounted for at Camp Mystic. The death toll could rise, and officials are uncertain about the number of missing.
The tragedy has raised questions about emergency warnings and preparedness. Survivors described the floods as a “pitch black wall of death” and said they received no warning before the disaster struck. Local officials had previously warned that flooding was a serious risk in the region, but campers were not alerted sooner.
President Donald Trump plans to visit the flood zone on Friday. The search effort is ongoing, with authorities using dogs to search through debris and locate victims. Over 440 rescues have been made so far, but the last live rescue was reported on Friday.
The incident has sparked scrutiny over the effectiveness of emergency systems in place, particularly in isolated areas with spotty cell service. A proposal for a more robust flood warning system has been met with resistance from the public due to cost concerns.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/flash-flood-texas-camp-mystic-aec9181a07d3ce8ff85197922e108b13