Latest news with #KerrCountySheriff
Khaleej Times
28 minutes ago
- Climate
- Khaleej Times
Texas flash floods: At least 24 dead; over 20 girls missing from riverfront camp
Torrential rains unleashed deadly flash floods along the Guadalupe River in south-central Texas on Friday, killing at least 24 people, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said on Friday. Nearly two-dozen girls have also been reported missing from a riverfront summer camp, local authorities said, and it is unclear if any of them have been found yet. The US National Weather Service declared a flash flood emergency for parts of Kerr County, located in Texas Hill Country, about 105km northwest of San Antonio, following thunderstorms with heavy downpours that dumped as much as a foot of rain. US President Donald Trump said on Friday that the flash floods were "shocking" and "terrible." Dalton Rice, city manager for Kerrville, the county seat, told reporters the extreme flooding struck before dawn with little or no warning, precluding authorities from issuing advance evacuation orders as the Guadalupe swiftly rose above major flood stage. "This happened very quickly, over a very short period of time that could not be predicted, even with radar," Rice said. "This happened within less than a two-hour span." July Fourth fireworks displays were canceled in flood-stricken communities throughout the region, including Kerrville, where the waterfront site for Friday night's planned US Independence Day celebration was submerged by the rain-swollen river. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha earlier told reporters that 13 people were found dead from flooding in the area, adding, "I think there will be more when this thing is over." The toll has since then risen to 24 dead. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said at an earlier news briefing that six to 10 bodies of adults and children had been found, some in cars washed downstream. Prayers for the missing He also said authorities were searching for 23 girls listed as unaccounted for among more than 700 children at several summer camp sites near the banks of the Guadalupe River when the site was inundated by floodwaters at around 4 am local time. "We're praying for all those missing to be found alive," Patrick said. It was not clear whether anyone unaccounted for at Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp for girls, might have ended up among the deceased victims tallied countywide by the sheriff. Otherwise, all other campers were safe, authorities said, but the campers could not immediately be evacuated because roads were made impassable by high waters. Camp Mystic's director said in a message read to reporters that the facility's power, water and internet service also had been cut off. "Everybody is doing everything in their power to get these kids out," Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, the top local elected official, said at a news briefing on the disaster hours earlier. Kelly said a number of scattered residential subdivisions, recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds were hit hard. Pressed by reporters why more precautions were not taken with stormy weather in the forecast, Kelly insisted a disaster of such magnitude was unforeseen. "We have floods all the time. This is the most dangerous river valley in the United States," he said, adding, "We had no reason to believe this was going to be anything like what's happened here. None whatsoever." Patrick said the Guadalupe River had risen 8 metres in 45 minutes amid heavy showers soaking the region. Search teams were flying 14 helicopters and a dozen drones over the area, in addition to hundreds of emergency personnel on the ground conducting rescues from trees and swift-flowing water. The Llano River flowing through adjacent Mason County was also reported running at flood stage, posing "a life-threatening situation," the weather service reported. With additional rain forecast in the region, Patrick warned that an ongoing threat for possible flash flooding extended from San Antonio to Waco for the next 24 to 48 hours. Personnel from the US Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency were activated to assist local authorities in confronting the crisis, officials said.
CBS News
an hour ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Dozens dead in Texas after devastating flash floods slam Hill Country, officials say
Dozens of people are dead in central Texas in what officials called a "mass casualty event" after devastating flash floods slammed Hill Country, with water rescues taking place along the Guadalupe River. While officials couldn't confirm an exact number of those who remain unaccounted for, they said between 23 and 25 people are still missing. About 24 fatalities have been reported so far, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said Friday evening during a news conference, alongside Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and several other officials. As of Friday night, there had been 237 people evacuated, including 167 by helicopter, according to Major Gen. Thomas Suelzer, adjutant general for the state of Texas. Patrick said there hadn't been "a drop of rain until the tragedy struck" earlier in the day, and that the Guadalupe River had risen about 26 feet in 45 minutes. An alert went out around 4 and 5 a.m. local time, he said. Damaged vehicles and debris are seen roped off near the banks of the Guadalupe River after flooding in Ingram, Texas, Friday, July 4, 2025. Michel Fortier/The San Antonio Express-News via AP How did the Guadalupe River flood so quickly? Dalton Rice, city manager for Kerrville, explained how the Guadalupe River flooded so quickly. "When you look at the headwaters of the Guadalupe... there's a north and a south fork," Rice said Friday night. "Since 1987, under normal conditions, if you can call it that, you'll hit water in one of those areas, and those two forks will converge into the Guadalupe, which comes through the city of Kerrville." "This rain event sat on top of that and dumped more rain than what was forecasted on both of those forks," Rice continued. "When we got the report, it was about 7 feet or so on the south fork, and within a matter of minutes it was up to 29 feet, and all of that converged at Guadalupe." The Guadalupe River at Hunt reached its second-highest height on record, higher than the famous 1987 flood, the city said, citing the National Weather Service. A raging Guadalupe River leaves fallen trees and debris in its wake, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas. Eric Gay / AP The Texas Division of Emergency Management had multiple meetings since Thursday to prepare, but the National Weather Service "did not predict the amount of rain that we saw," officials said, adding that the original estimate was up to 8 inches of rain. Officials said they were still concerned about the weather, adding that "if you do not live in area, do not come." Texas issued flash flood emergencies in five counties in West Texas on Friday as Hill Country continued to be slammed by severe rain and flooding. Between 5 and 11 inches of rain have fallen in northwestern Bandera County, Central Kerr County, Northeastern Tom Green County, East Central Kerr County and West Central Kendall County, according to the National Weather Service. A man surveys damage left by a raging Guadalupe River, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas. Eric Gay / AP Search and rescue operations are ongoing There are hundreds of people on the ground from various units helping with search and rescue operations, officials said, which include drones and helicopters. "We brought in over 100 troopers this morning," Col. Freeman Martin, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, said during Friday night's news briefing. "And they've worked all day, rescues, high water vehicles, boats, rescue divers, seven rescue helicopters with hoist capabilities." The governor signed a disaster declaration for several counties during the Friday night presser, saying it "ensures all the counties will have access to every tool, strategy, personnel that the state of Texas can provide to them, which will be limitless." "We will stop at nothing to ensure that every asset and person and plane, whatever is needed, is going to be involved in the process of rescuing every last person and ensure everybody involved in this is going to be fully accounted for," Abbott said. A helicopter flies over the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas. Eric Gay / AP First responders scan the banks of the Guadalupe River for individuals swept away by flooding in Ingram, Texas, Friday, July 4, 2025. Michel Fortier/The San Antonio Express-News via AP "Between 23 to 25" people still missing from Camp Mystic "We don't have an estimate" on how many people are missing, Sheriff Leitha said Friday night, adding that somewhere "between 23 and 25" campers were still believed to be missing from Camp Mystic. Earlier Friday, Patrick addressed parents of children at Camp Mystic, where there were about 750 children at summer camp when the floods hit. The lieutenant governor, who was acting as governor while Abbott was on vacation, said they are praying for all those missing "to be found alive." "If they are alive and safe, we will find them and bring them home to you," Patrick said during an afternoon news conference. Families line up at a reunification center after flash flooding it the area, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Ingram, Texas. Eric Gay / AP The camp said in a statement, read by Patrick, that there has been a "catastrophic level" of flooding. Patrick said Camp Mystic is an all-girls summer camp in the area that has several camps with thousands of children attending for the summer. The camp said they have no power, no water and no Wi-Fi , adding that "the highway has washed away, so we are struggling to get more help." A flood gauge marks the height of water flowing over a farm-to-market road near Kerrville, Texas, on Friday, July 4, 2025. Eric Gay / AP A man surveys damage left by a raging Guadalupe River, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas. Eric Gay / AP Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said in a statement posted to social media, "Please pray right now for everyone in the Hill Country, especially Camp Mystic." He said multiple helicopters are performing search and rescue, and added that he's spoken with Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov Patrick, the head of the Texas Division of Emergency Management and President Trump. "President Trump committed ANYTHING Texas needs," Cruz said. Abbott said the state has mobilized resources to assist those dealing with the floods. "Texas is providing all necessary resources to Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt and the entire Texas Hill Country dealing with these devastating floods," Abbott said earlier Friday in a statement. "The State of Texas today has mobilized 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."
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Texas flooding updates: Death toll rises to 24 in 'extraordinary catastrophe'
At least 24 people are dead after heavy rain lashed Texas, leading to "catastrophic" flooding. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said emergency responders remained in a search and rescue posture, hours after the flooding along the Guadalupe River inundated nearby areas. "So many people have been swept up into an extraordinary catastrophe," Abbott said, asking for prayers for residents. Children are among the dead, and about 23 campers from a summer camp in the area, Camp Mystic, were unaccounted for, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at a earlier news 4, 10:42 PMNumber of people unaccounted for after Texas flooding remains unknown The number of people unaccounted for after devastating flooding in central Texas remains unknown, officials said. Speaking at a news conference, Kerr County Sheriff Larry L. Leitha said officials do not yet know how many people are unaccounted for. "It was a holiday weekend here," Leitha said. "We have a lot of campers here, and we do not know that number at this time." He said up to 25 campers with Camp Mystic, a girls' camp along the Guadalupe River, remained unaccounted for. Jul 4, 10:31 PMDeath toll in Texas flooding rises to 24 The death toll from devastating floods in central Texas has risen to 24, Kerr County Sheriff Larry L. Leitha told reporters during a news conference Friday sheriff did not provide an update on the number of people unaccounted for. Earlier, state officials said about 23 campers with a girls' summer camp remained unaccounted for. Jul 4, 10:26 PMTexas governor says search and rescue mission continues after devastating flooding Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the state remains in a search and rescue posture hours after devastating flooding tore through central said two state search and rescue teams, the Texas National Guard and a host of other agencies are continuing to conduct rescues Friday night."They will continue in the darkness of night … They will be nonstop, seeking to find everybody who is unaccounted for," Abbott said during a news conference Friday governor signed a disaster declaration for the affected counties. Jul 4, 10:11 PMWhat we know about Camp Mystic, where 20 are unaccounted for after Texas floods State officials said during a news conference earlier Friday that 20 campers from Camp Mystic -- out of 750 total campers -- were unaccounted for after catastrophic flooding in central Texas on Friday. Camp Mystic is a private Christian summer camp for girls, according to the organization's website. Established in 1926, it sits along the banks of the Guadalupe River, which has seen devastating floods amid the heavy a brief note to families earlier Friday, the camp said: "We have sustained catastrophic level floods. We have no power, water, or wifi."The camp's office said campers on Senior Hill and Cypress Lake have been accounted for."If your daughter is not accounted for you have been notified. If you have not been personally contacted then your daughter is accounted for." Jul 4, 9:17 PMPhotos show flood damage, reunifications Photos from the scene of devastating flooding in central Texas show the debris-strewn banks of the Guadalupe River -- as well as emotional scenes of families being officials have confirmed at least 13 deaths so area hard-hit by the flooding is home to several major camps. At one of them -- Camp Mystic, a girl's summer camp -- there are 23 campers unaccounted for, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick also showed families lining up at a reunification 4, 8:32 PMUS Coast Guard helping evacuate people from Texas flooding The U.S. Coast Guard is helping to evacuate people in central Texas from catastrophic Coast Guard "is punching through storms to evacuate Americans from central Texas," Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said in a post on X. "We will fly throughout the night and as long as possible," she an earlier post, Noem said she had activated the Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to respond to the situation. Jul 4, 5:58 PMOfficial describes harrowing rescues Amid devastating flooding in Texas, first responders are working to rescue those stranded by the floodwaters. Evacuations of camps near the Guadalupe River were ongoing Friday afternoon, said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who is performing the duties of the governor. There are 14 helicopters in the air, 12 drones and nine rescue teams. Swimmers are in the water rescuing children and adults who escaped the floodwaters by climbing trees, Patrick said. Jul 4, 7:29 PMAbout 23 campers unaccounted for, official says Children account for some of those dead in catastrophic Texas flooding, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told reporters are several major camps in the area near the Guadalupe River that has been overtaken by floodwaters and at one of them -- Camp Mystic -- about 23 of its 750 campers are unaccounted for, Patrick said."That does not mean they've been lost -- they could be in a tree, they could be out of communication. We are praying for all of those missing to be found alive," Patrick said at a news Mystic said in a letter to parents, "If your daughter is not accounted for, you have been notified. If you have not been personally contacted, then your daughter is accounted for." Jul 4, 5:39 PMAt least 13 dead, sheriff says At least 13 people are confirmed dead after catastrophic flooding in Kerr County, Texas, Sheriff Larry L. Leitha told reporters at a news conference to 12 inches of rain has already fallen in Kerr County, about 60 miles north of San Antonio, with more rain expected through the evening. Click here to read the rest of the blog.
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- Climate
- News.com.au
Texas floods kill at least 13, with 20 or more children still missing from a Christian summer camp
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.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
At least 6 dead and more missing in Texas Hill Country after severe flash flooding
Texas Hill Country was beset by death and disaster Friday as at least six people were killed and about 20 girls attending a summer camp were reported missing after months worth of heavy rain fell in a matter of hours, leaving search teams to conduct boat and helicopter rescues in the fast-moving water. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said somewhere between six and 10 bodies had been found so far in the frantic search for victims. Meanwhile, during a news conference conducted at the same time as Patrick's update, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha reported that there were 13 deaths from the flooding. At least 10 inches of rain poured down overnight in central Kerr County, causing flash flooding of the Guadalupe River and leading to desperate pleas for information about the missing. 'Some are adults, some are children,' Patrick said during a news conference. 'Again, we don't know where those bodies came from.' Teams conducted dozens of rescues, and emergency responders continued to search for those who were unaccounted for. Comments on a Facebook post from the Kerr County sheriff's office were riddled with photos of people in the flood zone. Loved ones posted there, hoping someone could offer an update on the whereabouts of those they hadn't heard from. One woman said she couldn't reach her daughter, who had rented a cabin in Hunt for her husband and two children, and pleaded for someone to post the names of those already evacuated. Judge Rob Kelly, the chief elected official in the county, confirmed fatalities from the flooding and dozens of water rescues so far. He said he was advised not to cite specific numbers and said authorities are still working to identify those whose lives were lost. 'Most of them, we don't know who they are,' Kelly said during a news conference. 'One of them was completely naked, he didn't have any ID on him at all. We're trying to get the identity of these folks, but we don't have it yet.' Erin Burgess' home sits directly across from the river in the Bumble Bee Hills neighborhood, west of Ingram. When she woke up to thunder at 3:30 a.m. Friday, 'it was raining pretty heavy, but no big deal,' she said. Just 20 minutes later, Burgess said, water was coming in through the walls and rushing through the front and back doors. She described an agonizing hour clinging to a tree and waiting for the water to recede enough that they were able to walk up the hill to a neighbor's. 'My son and I floated to a tree where we hung onto it, and my boyfriend and my dog floated away. He was lost for a while, but we found them,' she said, becoming emotional. Of her 19-year-old son, Burgess said: 'Thankfully he's over 6 feet tall. That's the only thing that saved me, was hanging on to him.' A flood watch issued Thursday afternoon estimated isolated amounts up to 7 inches of rising water. That shifted to a flood warning for at least 30,000 people overnight. When asked about the suddenness of the flash flooding overnight, Kelly said that 'we do not have a warning system' and that 'we didn't know this flood was coming' — even as local reporters pointed to the warnings and pushed for answers about why more precautions weren't taken. 'Rest assured, no one knew this kind of flood was coming,' he said. 'We have floods all the time. This is the most dangerous river valley in the United States.' Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the state was providing resources to Hill Country communities dealing with the flooding, including in Kerrville, Ingram and Hunt. The Texas Hill Country, a scenic and rocky gateway to booming vineyards and vacation rentals, begins west of the state capital and is a popular outdoor summer getaway. Parts of the region are prone to flash flooding. Dozens of people posted on Facebook asking for any information on their children, nieces and nephews attending one of the many camps in the area, or family members who went camping during the holiday weekend. The Ingram Fire Department posted a photo of a statement from Camp Mystic, saying the private Christian summer camp for girls experienced 'catastrophic level floods.' Parents with a daughter not accounted for were directly contacted, the camp said. Another camp on the river located east of Hunt, Camp Waldemar, said in an Instagram post that 'we are all safe and sound.' The Guadalupe's river gauge at the unincorporated community of Hunt, where the river forks, recorded a 22-foot rise in just about two hours, according to Bob Fogarty, meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Austin/San Antonio office. Fogarty said the gauge failed after recording a level of 29½ feet. 'This is the kind of thing that will catch you unaware,' Fogarty said. 'The water's moving so fast, you're not going to recognize how bad it is until it's on top of you.' Meanwhile, strong thunderstorms were being blamed for at least three deaths in central New Jersey, including two men in Plainfield who died after a tree fell onto a vehicle they were traveling in during the height of a storm there, according to a city Facebook post. The men were ages 79 and 25, officials said. They were not immediately publicly identified. 'Our hearts are heavy today,' Mayor Adrian O. Mapp said in a statement. 'This tragedy is a sobering reminder of the power of nature and the fragility of life.' The city canceled its planned Fourth of July parade, concert and fireworks show. Mapp said the 'devastating' storms had left 'deep scars and widespread damage' in the community of more than 54,000 people and it was a time to 'regroup and focus all of our energy on recovery.' Continuing power outages and downed trees were reported Friday throughout southern New England, where some communities received large amounts of hail. There were reports of cars skidding off the road in northeastern Connecticut. Fingerhut writes for the Associated Press. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
