The death toll from the devastating floods in the US state of Texas has risen to at least 80. This is reported by American media based on local authorities. Ten more girls from a summer camp in the region are still missing.
At least 68 people have died in Kerr County. The victims include forty adults and 28 children. According to the sheriff of the district, the identity of eighteen adults and four children has yet to be determined.
In Travis County, five people have died in the floods. Three people died in Burnet County and two people in Kendall County, writes CNN. “We extend our sincere condolences and pray for every family affected by this tragedy,” said the sheriff of Kerr County. In addition, one person has died in Tom Green County. Authorities report that a death has also occurred in Williamson County.
The search continues for ten girls who were at a Christian summer camp on the Guadalupe River at the time of the floods. A camp counselor is also being sought. Earlier this weekend, reports emerged that 27 girls were missing. It is not yet clear whether some of them have been found alive or have died.
It is known that five girls from the camp have died, but it is not clear whether they were included in the 27 missing earlier this weekend. In total, according to Governor Greg Abbott, at least 41 people are missing in the disaster area.
Trump declares floods a major disaster
The Hill Country region in the state of Texas experienced heavy flooding on the night of Thursday to Friday (local time). It rained so hard that the water level of the Guadalupe River rose meters within an hour. There were many campsites and campgrounds along the river. Because Friday was Independence Day in the United States, many Americans had a long weekend off.
There are many questions about how local authorities handled weather warnings. The National Weather Service and AccuWeather had warned of the chance of flash floods, sudden floods after heavy rainfall. Hill Country is not called ‘Flash Flood Alley‘ for nothing, because the water can rise so quickly there.
The highest elected official of Kerr County says that everyone was surprised by the heavy rain and floods. “We know we get rain here, we know the river rises. But no one saw this coming.”
US President Donald Trump has declared the flood a major disaster so that aid workers “immediately get the resources they need.” He promised that his government will continue to work closely with the local authorities. Trump emphasized that 850 people have now been rescued. The president hopes to visit the disaster area next Friday, he said on Sunday.