The death toll from the devastating floods in the US state of Texas has risen to 95, CNN reports, citing local authorities. In addition, an unknown number of people are still missing.
In Kerr County, the district hardest hit by the floods, 75 people have died. This includes 48 adults and 27 children. The identity of some of them still needs to be determined.
The floods affected, among other places, the summer camp Camp Mystic along the river. The organization has announced that 27 participants of the camp have died. It was not stated how many children or participants are among the dead. The BBC reports, based on local police, that ten girls and a camp counselor are still missing.
Furthermore, seven people died in Travis County, nine in Burnet County, two in Williamson County and one in Tom Green County. The search for missing persons continues, but it is unclear exactly how many people are involved.
US President Donald Trump is likely to visit the affected areas on Friday, his spokesman said on Monday. Trump declared the floods a major disaster on Sunday so that relief workers “immediately get the resources they need.” He promised that his government would continue to work closely with local authorities.
Residents and vacationers surprised by severe weather
The Guadalupe River rapidly overflowed after heavy rainfall on the night of Thursday to Friday. The flooding took place in a hilly area. Texas Hill Country is known as the area in the United States with the greatest risk of flooding. The steep slopes ensure that water quickly flows to rivers.
Because of American Independence Day, which was celebrated on Friday, many Americans had a long weekend. They therefore went out, for example to campsites and summer camps such as Camp Mystic.
After the floods, many Texans are wondering why warnings were not issued earlier. Some local residents only received an emergency message on their phone when the roads around their house were already under water. It is also a mystery to national weather centers why warning took so long in some places along the river.