At least 150 people remain missing in Kerr County, Texas, following devastating flash floods that struck the region five days ago, leading to mounting fears for their survival. Among those unaccounted for are campers and counselors from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp situated along the Guadalupe River. The tragic incident has resulted in the loss of at least 119 lives, with a reported 95 deaths occurring in the Kerrville area alone.
In New Mexico, recent flash floods also claimed three lives, prompting emergency measures, including extensive evacuations in affected areas. As this crisis unfolds, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has assured the public that rescue teams are committed to locating every missing individual. He emphasized that the official count of missing persons might rise as more reports come in, urging neighbors to report anyone who may be unaccounted for.
General Thomas Suelzer of the Texas National Guard confirmed that search efforts are being backed by an extensive air operation, including 13 Black Hawk helicopters and reaper drones assessing the vast and tangled landscape. Over 250 responders from various organizations, including the FBI and the National Guard, have been mobilized to participate in the ongoing search and rescue mission.
Rescue volunteer Tim described the scale of destruction as unprecedented, while another volunteer, Justin, likened the search to finding a needle in a haystack due to the extensive damage across the area. Amid the destruction, scrutiny over the adequacy of flood warnings has emerged, with residents questioning why timely evacuations were not implemented as the storm approached.
Governor Abbott reported that although weather forecasts indicated the possibility of heavy rain, the true force of the impending flooding was underestimated, stating that authorities were unprepared for a surge of such magnitude. Most casualties occurred early on Friday morning during the holiday weekend, as the Guadalupe River overflowed suddenly.
Survivors are now focused on rebuilding their lives. Many who lost their homes, like Justin Brown, are looking to regain a sense of normalcy as recovery efforts begin. President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit the affected regions as the situation continues to develop.
In neighboring New Mexico, authorities are on high alert for further flooding, following the issuance of a flash flood emergency as swift waters threatened to engulf residential areas, resulting in rescue operations for trapped individuals. The devastating effects of these flood events leave communities across two states in recovery mode, with many hoping for swift reunification with loved ones still unaccounted for.
