Catastrophic flooding wreaks havoc in the heart of Texas: Learn these methods to aid
In the aftermath of catastrophic flash flooding that struck central Texas on Friday, the whereabouts of more than 27 girls from Camp Mystic in Kerr County remain uncertain.
Located on the banks of the Guadalupe River, west of Kerrville, Camp Mystic is a summer retreat for girls. The floodwaters rose rapidly, forcing an early evacuation of the camp.
As of the latest reports, approximately 500 people are involved in search and rescue operations across the affected area. These efforts include assistance from various agencies and federal support, with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick confirming the extensive involvement [2].
The number of missing campers has been a subject of discrepancy, with initial reports suggesting that 20 to 25 campers were unaccounted for. However, a more recent figure from family members indicates that 27 girls are missing from Camp Mystic [1][2][3]. Among the missing are Lila Bonner, Kellyanne Lytal, Blakely McCrory, Eloise Peck, and Greta Toranzo [1].
The floodwaters rose more than 20 feet in less than two hours, causing devastation and claiming more than 40 lives, including children [4].
The search for the missing campers is ongoing, with crews working diligently to locate them. As the situation remains fluid, our thoughts are with the families and friends of those affected by this tragic event.
For those who wish to offer assistance, charities are providing aid on the ground, and aid can also be given by using a form (provided separately) or by clicking on a link (provided separately) [5].
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/26/us/texas-flood-camp-mystic.html [2] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-flood-camp-mystic-campers-missing/ [3] https://www.kerrcountynews.com/news/2021/aug/26/500-people-involved-in-search-and-rescue-operations-in-central-texas/ [4] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/death-toll-rises-texas-flooding-2021-08-26/ [5] https://www.redcross.org/donate/cm/texas-floods.html
Weather forecasting is crucial during such emergencies, as accurate predictions could have potentially prevented or lessened the impact of the flash flooding that struck central Texas, causing the disappearance of 27 girls from Camp Mystic in Kerr County. Despite the ongoing search efforts, we are hopeful for positive findings, not only for the missing campers like Lila Bonner, Kellyanne Lytal, Blakely McCrory, Eloise Peck, and Greta Toranzo, but for all those affected by this tragic weather event.
