Texas floods kill at least 13, with 20 or more children still missing from a Christian summer camp

News.com.au

5 hours ago

At least 13 people are dead, and at least 20 children are missing, after torrential rain in the American state Texas caused massive flooding.
The flooding occurred today across much of central Texas, most devastatingly at a Christian summer camp for girls, Camp Mystic, which is located next to the Guadalupe River.
The camp, which hosts up to 750 girls, was brutally affected by the floodwaters, which at one point saw the river swell by eight metres in just 45 minutes.
The bodies of both adults and children have been retrieved by emergency responders.
'Within 45 minutes, the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet and it was a destructive flood, taking property and sadly lives,' Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, filling in for the holidaying Governor Greg Abbott, said during a news conference.
He said the area had copped about 12 inches (300 millimetres) of rain per hour.
There are more than 700 emergency responders on the ground, and in the air, searching for survivors and those in need of aid. They're being helped by 14 helicopters and 12 drones.
'That does not mean they've been lost,' Mr Patrick said of the missing girls, saying everyone was 'praying for them to be found alive'.
'They could be in a tree, they could be out of communication.'
Camp Mystic says it has informed the parents of all the missing children.
The Kerr County Sheriff's Office said the death toll was 13, and was expected to rise.
'It's going to be a massive casualty event,' said Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety Freeman Martin.
During the media conference, Mr Patrick made a promise to the parents of the missing children from Camp Mystic.
'If they are alive and safe, we will find them and bring them home to you,' he said.
'We will do everything humanly possible 24/7, looking in every tree turning over every rock.'
The camp is currently without power or internet. A statement from its administrators, read out by the Lieutenant-Governor, stressed that the level of flooding was 'catastrophic'.
'The highway has washed away, so we are struggling to get more help,' the camp said.
The communications problems are being exacerbated by the camp's rule of imposing a ban on technology for the children staying there.
'Technology is actually not allowed there,' said NewsNation reporter Tracy Walder, whose daughter is friends with some of the missing kids.
'That's why communication and information is kind of a bit difficult to come by.'
Mr Abbott, in a written statement, said Texas was 'providing all necessary resources to Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt and the entire Texas Hill Country dealing with these devastating floods'.
'The state of Texas today has mobilised additional resources in addition to the resources sent in preparation for the storms. I urge Texans to heed guidance from state and local officials and monitor local forecasts to avoid driving into flooded areas.'
One of Texas's senators, Ted Cruz, asked his followers on social media to 'pray right now' for all involved, 'especially Camp Mystic'.
He said President Donald Trump, who has not commented publicly on the flooding, had privately 'committed anything Texas needs'. And Mr Patrick said the President had been in touch more than once, offering to assist.
Meanwhile, officials are warning residents of the area to continue being vigilant.
'The rain has let up, but we know there's another wave coming,' Mr Martin said, adding that more rain would be hitting areas around the cities San Antonio and Austin.
Forecasters issued a flood warning for one county, urging those living near the Guadalupe River to 'move to higher ground'.
Flash floods, which occur when the ground is unable to absorb torrential rainfall, are not unusual in the region.