Further fatalities confirmed in Texas's flood disaster
In the aftermath of a catastrophic flash flood disaster in Kerr County, Texas, the search for missing individuals continues amidst the extensive destruction. As of now, more than 160 people remain unaccounted for, with the death toll expected to rise as recovery efforts progress.
The Guadalupe River surged rapidly, with the river rising about 26 feet (7.9 meters) near Kerrville in just 45 minutes. Even higher surges, up to 29 feet (8.8 meters), were reported in the Hunt area. The floodwaters devastated the Camp Mystic summer camp, where around 550 children were present at the time of the disaster. More than 20 children were initially declared missing.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued multiple urgent flash flood warnings, including rare "flash flood emergency" alerts, urging immediate evacuation to higher ground. The emergency response plan for Kerr County had classified flash flooding as "highly likely" with a "major impact" on public safety. Governor Greg Abbott signed a state disaster declaration for several Central Texas counties, and President Trump later issued a federal disaster declaration specifically for Kerr County.
Over 400 people were rescued from the floods, with one rescue swimmer credited for saving 165 lives. Search and rescue teams from Mexico joined local and state responders in the operation. However, Friday, July 5, was the last time a missing person was found alive in Kerr County, according to officials.
The NWS issued its first flash flood warning at 1:14 a.m., and by 4:03 a.m., a flash flood emergency was declared for south-central Kerr County. River level gauges near Hunt recorded a rise of 14.3 feet in under three hours, and then another 15.5 feet before the gauge broke due to extreme flooding.
As the search for missing individuals continues, the focus remains on keeping the numbers as accurate as possible. In Kerr County, 95 deaths have been reported, including 36 children. The floodwaters have also caused casualties in the mountain town of Ruidoso, New Mexico. The local police department has asked the population to inform authorities if any missing relatives have safely returned home. Deaths have been reported in neighboring New Mexico due to floodwaters in Ruidoso.
Experts attribute the increase in natural disasters, including storms, floods, and wildfires, in the USA to the effects of climate change. The current disaster in Kerr County underscores the urgent need for improved preparedness and response strategies to protect communities from such catastrophic events.
The disaster in Kerr County has highlighted the impact of climate change on the environment, as experts believe it contributes to an increase in natural disasters such as floods. In the wake of this catastrophic event, there is a pressing need for improved scientific understanding of climate-change effects on weather patterns to better prepare for and respond to future disasters in environmental-science.
