logo
Texas's Camp Mystic confirms 27 children and counsellors died in floods

Texas's Camp Mystic confirms 27 children and counsellors died in floods

The Guardian7 days ago
Camp Mystic, the girls summer camp on the banks of the Guadalupe River in Texas, has confirmed that 27 children and counsellors died in the flash floods that have wreaked devastation on the area since Friday.
'Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly,' a statement on the camp website read.
The search continued for missing people, it said, adding: 'We ask for your continued prayers, respect and privacy for each of our families affected.'
The tragic news will likely tip the death toll in Texas to more than 100 people since the flash flooding, a figure that is expected to rise as more rain threatens to deluge the region.
Officials said life-threatening flooding remained a threat as crews continued an urgent search for people still missing. The Guadalupe River rose 26ft (8 meters) in 45 minutes in Friday's pre-dawn hours, after a downpour north of San Antonio.
The sheriff of Kerr county, Larry Leitha, has said at least 68 people were found dead in an area known as the Hill Country. There are several summer camps there. At least 10 other deaths were reported in the counties of Travis, Burnet, Kendall, Tom Green and Williamson, local officials have said.
Abbott warned that additional rounds of heavy rains lasting into Tuesday could produce more perilous flooding, especially in places where the ground is already saturated.
Kerr residents were clearing mud from their destroyed properties and saving what belongings they could. Some said the heroism of the neighbors was all that saved them, as authorities faced questions about whether enough warnings about the downpour were issued, how many actually received them and whether enough was done to prepare for the rain.
Reagan Brown told the Associated Press that his parents, in their 80s, managed to escape uphill as water inundated their home in the town of Hunt. When Brown's parents learned that their 92-year-old neighbor was trapped in her attic, they went back and rescued her.
'Then they were able to reach their toolshed up higher ground, and neighbors throughout the early morning began to show up at their toolshed, and they all rode it out together,' Brown said.
A video posted on X showed girls from Camp Mystic being evacuated and singing the hymns Pass It On and Amazing Grace as they crossed a bridge over the Guadalupe River, which was still flowing fiercely.
Donald Trump on Sunday signed a major disaster declaration Sunday for Kerr county, which is meant to unlock federal resources meant to help local officials. He said he would likely visit Friday, a week after the deadly flash flood, saying to go earlier might impede search and recovery efforts.
Associated Press contributed reporting
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

British tourist named after fatal fall from balcony in Malta
British tourist named after fatal fall from balcony in Malta

The Independent

time2 hours ago

  • The Independent

British tourist named after fatal fall from balcony in Malta

A British tourist who died after falling from a hotel balcony in Malta has been named by police. Kieran Thomas Hughes from Gwynedd in Wales fell from a balcony at the Cavalieri Art Hotel in St Julian's, a town on the east of the island, in the early hours of Friday morning (11 July). Emergency services attended but the 25-year-old died at the scene. His father, Alan Hughes, said the family was grateful for kind messages they had received but asked for privacy. He added that the family were awaiting further information from Malta Police, which is undertaking the investigation. Mr Hughes said that Keiran, who had a twin brother, worked as a software engineer and had 'a promising career ahead of him'. A spokesperson for the British Foreign Office confirmed they are in touch with the local authorities following Kieran's death. Siân Gwenllian, the Welsh Senedd member for Arfon, said: 'News of the death of a 25-year-old man from Gwynedd in Malta is truly devastating. 'The pain his family must be experiencing is unimaginable. 'My thoughts, and those of the people of Gwynedd, are with them in their grief.'

Texas floods latest: Death toll climbs to 132 as dozens rescued after new round of flash floods
Texas floods latest: Death toll climbs to 132 as dozens rescued after new round of flash floods

The Independent

time3 hours ago

  • The Independent

Texas floods latest: Death toll climbs to 132 as dozens rescued after new round of flash floods

A new round of flash floods tore through Central Texas, triggering dozens of rescues as the death toll climbed to 132. Emergency crews resumed some recovery efforts Sunday afternoon after heavy rain brought renewed flood threats to Kerr County, temporarily halting operations in a region still reeling from the July 4 flash floods when the Guadalupe River burst its banks. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Sunday that rescue operations were underway in San Saba – where more than nine inches of rain fell – as well as in Lampasas and Schleicher counties. Evacuations were ongoing across Central Texas, with authorities closely monitoring rising waters in Kerrville. Later Sunday, Abbott wrote on X that 'dozens' of people had been rescued in the Lampasas area, after the Lampasas River surged by 23ft in under four hours. It comes after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the Federal Emergency Management Agency 's response to the deadly floods, asserting that her department acted swiftly and received commendation from state officials. 'Dozens rescued' in Lampasas County as river surges to 33ft in hours Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Sunday the state was making rescues in San Saba – where more than nine inches of rain fell – as well as in Lampasas and Schleicher counties. Evacuations were taking place in Lampasas, Menard, Kimble and Sutton counties, he said. By the afternoon, Abbott wrote on X that 'dozens' of people had been rescued in the Lampasas area, after the Lampasas River swelled to 33ft in under four hours. 'Texas Task Force 1 has already rescued dozens of Texans in the Lampasas area,' Abbott he tweeted 'They and other first responders will continue operations to prioritize saving lives.' James Liddell14 July 2025 09:06 Flash floods possible as thunderstorms sweep through western Hill Country Torrential rains and thunderstorms continue to sweep through portions of the western Hill Country. The region could see up to three inches of rain per hour, which is expected to 'result in some renewed flooding concerns,' according to the National Weather Service. James Liddell14 July 2025 08:57 Recovery efforts resume after fresh wave of flash floods delay searches Emergency crews resumed recovery efforts Sunday afternoon after heavy rain brought renewed flood threats to Kerr County, temporarily halting operations in a region still reeling from the July 4 flash floods when the Guadalupe River burst its banks. Officials said recovery efforts in western Kerr County were expected to resume around 3 p.m. local time. James Liddell14 July 2025 08:48 Noem denies report she held up FEMA response to floods Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has defended the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) response to the deadly floods that ravaged Texas last week, asserting that her department acted swiftly and received commendation from state officials. Speaking on NBC News' Meet the Press, Noem vehemently denied claims that a directive she issued in June — requiring her approval for FEMA expenditures exceeding $100,000 — had impeded the agency's response speed. 'Those claims are absolutely false,' Noem stated. 'Within just an hour or two after the flooding, we had resources from the Department of Homeland Security there.' Mike Bedigan14 July 2025 07:00 National Weather Service flood watch extended to Monday morning Mike Bedigan14 July 2025 06:15 FEMA let Camp Mystic operate in 100-year flood zone despite deadly warnings for years: 'Particularly disturbing' Federal regulators repeatedly approved appeals to remove Camp Mystic's buildings from their 100-year flood map, easing oversight as the camp operated and expanded in a hazardous floodplain in the years leading up to the central Texas flash floods of July 4, according to new reporting by The Associated Press. Oliver O'Connell has more: FEMA let Camp Mystic operate inside 100-year flood zone despite deadly warnings Federal regulators repeatedly granted appeals to remove Camp Mystic's buildings from their 100-year flood map, as the camp operated and expanded in a dangerous floodplain Mike Bedigan14 July 2025 05:30 Trump calls reporter 'evil' for asking Texas flood question Trump calls reporter 'evil' for asking Texas flood question Donald Trump branded a reporter 'evil' after he was asked if warnings could have prevented a high death toll in the Texas floods. The US president lashed out during a press conference on Friday (11 July), when a journalist from CBS News Texas asked him what he would say to grieving families who believe 'warnings didn't go out in time'. Mr Trump applauded the efforts of all involved in the rescue effort, before sternly stating: 'Only a bad person would ask a question like that, to be honest with you, I don't know who you are, but only a very evil person would ask a question like that. This has been heroism.' Mike Bedigan14 July 2025 04:30 Heavy rain stalls ongoing search efforts in Texas Torrential rain and strong winds hit central Texas Sunday, forcing rescuers to halt search operations for victims even one week on from the first of the devastating floods in the region. A slow-moving storm set off flood warnings in several places along the Guadalupe River. Officials and local residents are still ready for further disaster. However, the rain began to ease up in some parts by midafternoon, meaning some flood warnings were downgraded to flood watches. Mike Bedigan14 July 2025 03:30 Watch: Hundreds of Texas pets rescued following deadly floods Mike Bedigan14 July 2025 02:30 Recap: Texas floods mapped – the affected areas as death toll rises At least 170 people are still missing in Central Texas, as death toll rises to 129 Mike Bedigan14 July 2025 01:37

School tragedy as two Year Nine boys at technology college die on the same day in separate incidents
School tragedy as two Year Nine boys at technology college die on the same day in separate incidents

Daily Mail​

time3 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

School tragedy as two Year Nine boys at technology college die on the same day in separate incidents

Two boys from from the same year group have died on the same day in two separate incidents. The two Year Nine pupils at Horndean Technology College both died last Monday, the headteacher said. One of the boys, aged 14, was a pedestrian killed in a crash with a car which was towing a trailer. The driver was arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drugs. The circumstances of the second boy's death are not yet known. The school in Hampshire confirmed both incidents happened away from the school site, The Sun reported. Headteacher Julie Summerfield told parents: 'Both students were valued members of HTC, and we will all miss them greatly. 'Our thoughts are with their families and friends, and they are receiving appropriate support. 'We have shared the news with our students. 'We understand that families will want to support their children through this extremely difficult time and below we have provided some links to useful resources to help in conversations.' A 24-year-old man from Waterlooville was arrested in relation to the crash. He was released pending inquiries.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store