Overview of the Event
Thunderstorms and heavy downpours on Friday triggered sudden flooding along the banks of the Guadalupe River in south-central Texas, resulting in at least 13 deaths and leaving over 20 girls missing from a summer camp, according to authorities.
National Weather Service Declaration
The National Weather Service of the United States declared a flash flood emergency in parts of Kerr County, located in south-central Texas Hill Country, approximately 65 kilometers northwest of San Antonio, following intense rainfall amounting to up to 30 centimeters.
Community Response and Updates
Rob Kelly, the Kerr County judge, addressed reporters regarding the disaster, stating, “Everyone is doing everything they can to locate these girls.”
Kelly mentioned that authorities had preliminary figures of fatalities but refrained from disclosing a specific number until more details emerged about the extent of the situation.
Dalton Rice, Kerville’s municipal administrator and the county seat, informed journalists that the extreme flooding occurred suddenly without warning, preventing authorities from issuing evacuation orders.
“This happened very quickly, in a very short time that couldn’t be predicted, not even with radar,” Rice explained. “It all took place in less than two hours.”
The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office reported 13 fatalities due to “catastrophic flooding” in the area.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Texas’s lieutenant governor, Dan Patrick, reported coordinating with the state’s emergency response team to search for 23 girls listed as missing among over 700 children at a summer camp swept away by the floodwaters around 4:00 AM local time.
Most campers were reported safe, according to authorities, but couldn’t be immediately evacuated due to impassable roads caused by rising water levels.
“More rain is expected in these areas. Even light rain could lead to additional flooding, and there remains a continuous threat of sudden flash floods from San Antonio to Waco over the next 24 to 48 hours, along with ongoing risks in west and central Texas,” Patrick stated on X.
Key Questions and Answers
- What happened? Severe flooding in south-central Texas, triggered by thunderstorms and heavy downpours, resulted in at least 13 deaths and left over 20 girls missing from a summer camp.
- Who is involved? The National Weather Service declared a flash flood emergency in Kerr County, Texas. Local authorities, including Judge Rob Kelly and Kerville’s municipal administrator Dalton Rice, are coordinating rescue efforts.
- What is the current situation? Most campers are reported safe, but search and rescue operations continue due to ongoing flood risks in the region.
- What are the weather forecasts? More rain is expected in south-central Texas, with a continuous threat of sudden flash floods from San Antonio to Waco over the next 24 to 48 hours.
