As Death Toll Rises From Floods, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Calls For Prayer And Preparedness
What was meant to be a weekend of celebration turned into a nightmare for hundreds of families, many of whom were Texans simply enjoying time outdoors in one of the state's most treasured natural areas.
Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed Sunday night that around 59 of the fatalities occurred in and around Camp Mystic in Kerrville, where the Guadalupe River overtook low-lying areas during a sudden and deadly surge. Abbott has since mobilized more than 1,750 personnel, nearly 1,000 vehicles, and over 20 state agencies to help manage the areas around Central Texas, the Hill Country, Big Country, and Concho Valley regions, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Across Central Texas, other political leaders have vowed to support the victims and reconstruction efforts.
'I pledge that my agency is doing everything possible to support both our state and federal partners in this crisis, as well as the communities that have been impacted,' said Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller in a press release. 'The loss is unimaginable. We also ask all Texans to join us in prayer. There is still more work to be done, and together, we can continue to support our fellow Texans.'
As of Sunday, more than 850 Texans had been rescued from floodwaters, including over 500 by the Texas National Guard.
Coast Guard rescue swimmer Petty Officer Scott Ruskin made headlines for heroically rescuing 165 people, a remarkable feat for a single individual, as previously reported by DX. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called Ruskin 'an American hero' and 'the embodiment of USCG valor.'
The Trump administration has already approved a major disaster declaration, fast-tracking FEMA aid to the area, in what is now the largest statewide search and rescue operation since Hurricane Harvey.
But as rescue teams continue their work, the pain of what's been lost is only beginning to settle in.
Abbott, visibly emotional after visiting Camp Mystic, described the scene as 'horrific.' He also spoke on the ongoing recovery efforts for all, especially the children, and pledged to try to bring closure to the many grieving families.
In another statement, Miller echoed that sentiment, saying, 'My prayers go out to the families in Kerrville and across the Hill Country who are dealing with the devastation from these deadly floods. We've already seen tragic loss of life, and it's a heartbreaking reminder that catastrophic flash floods can strike fast and without much warning.'
Miller, a longtime rancher himself, urged those living and working near the impacted areas to remain cautious and vigilant.
'Folks, please don't take chances. Stay alert, follow local emergency warnings, and do not drive through flooded roads. Farmers and ranchers should take steps now to protect livestock and property. Move animals to higher ground, secure your equipment, and be ready. Preparation saves lives, both human and animal. Keep our rescuers and first responders in your prayers as they work around the clock to keep Texans safe. Let's stay safe and watch out for one another,' he added.
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Extreme heat is descending on Chicago again this week, and an agricultural phenomenon called corn sweat is making the heat wave this summer even worse. The U.S. leads the world in corn production, and Illinois grows more corn than any other state besides Iowa. At this time of year, the corn is high, lending its name to the phenomenon of corn sweat. "But really, all plants do that," said agriculture teacher Joshua Berg. "So, you know, you could just as much say 'soybean sweat.' I guess they haven't got on that marketing yet. The scientific term for the phenomenon is transpiration. Berg, who holds a master's degree in agricultural education, said transpiration is not like humans' sweat for cooling — it is a vital part of getting water to the plant. "Transpiration is a process where water is released from the plant's leaves, and that actually helps the plants move water," said Berg. CBS News Chicago Meteorologist Kylee Miller explained the effects of transpiration are showing up in this week's forecasts. "Dew points could be about 5 to 10 degrees actually higher, adding with that corn sweat, compared to what Mother Nature is giving us," Miller said. Other crops, like alfalfa and sugarcane, have higher evapotranspiration averages than corn. The evapotranspiration average for alfalfa is 6 to 8 mm/day for alfalfa and 5 to 7 mm/day for sugarcane, compared with 3.5 to 5mm/day for corn. Soybeans are in a range comparable to corn, at 4 to 6 mm/day But it is, in fact, corn's prevalence and growing season that are affecting the humidity now. "So during the growing season, one acre of corn can release 3,000 to 4,000 gallons of water a day," said Miller. "Here in Illinois, we have about 11 million acres [of corn]." Those numbers are driving up the forecasts for our summer's second heat wave this week. The effects of this corn sweat could continue into the weekend. It can result in more rainfall with higher humidity.
