Flash floods in central Texas have killed at least 51 people, including 43 in Kerr County, including 15 children and at least eight in surrounding counties, as rescuers continue their desperate search for the missing.
Twenty-seven girls are missing since a wall of water swept through their summer camp. Aside from the children at the Mystic Summer Camp along the Guadalupe River where most of the dead were found, authorities have not said how many others are missing.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said last night that the search would continue until everyone was found.
The devastating Guadalupe River surged 26 feet in just 45 minutes before dawn on Friday, sweeping away homes and vehicles. The danger was not over as heavy rain continued to fall outside San Antonio on Saturday, and flood warnings remained in effect.
Rescuers used helicopters, boats and drones to search for victims and try to rescue people trapped in trees and in campsites cut off by destroyed roads.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said authorities would work around the clock and search new areas as the water receded. He declared a day of prayer for the US state on Friday.
Authorities are investigating whether camps and residents in areas long prone to flooding were given adequate warning and whether there was enough preparation.
The hills along the Guadalupe River in central Texas are dotted with youth camps and centuries-old campgrounds where generations of families have come to swim and enjoy nature. The area is especially popular around the Fourth of July holiday, making it even harder to determine how many people are missing.
Flash flood warnings remain in effect for central Texas over the weekend.
About 850 people have been rescued so far.
At a press conference yesterday afternoon, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said he had signed a disaster declaration to boost the search.
Officials said they were searching along the banks of the Guadalupe River in an attempt to find survivors.
Photo: The New York Times video screenshot
