At least 32 people are dead and many more remain missing — including children from a local summer camp — after severe flooding along the Guadalupe River devastated parts of Kerr County, Texas.
During a press conference, Gov. Greg Abbott and state officials confirmed that among the 32 dead were 18 adults and 14 children. Five of those adults and three of the children remain unidentified.
Still missing are 27 girls from Camp Mystic, a christian girl camp. “We will be relentless in going after and assuring that we locate every single person who’s been a victim of this flooding event,” Abbott said.
According to the Austin American-Statesman, heavy rains overnight triggered flash floods that pushed the river to near-record levels. In some areas, more than 12 inches of rain fell in just 12 hours, with the river cresting over 34 feet near Comfort, according to the National Weather Service.
Governor Greg Abbott, calling the situation an “extraordinary catastrophe,” signed a disaster declaration for Kerr, Kendall, and surrounding counties. He said the state is deploying all available resources, including helicopters, drones, search teams, and National Guard units, to assist with rescue and recovery efforts.
Officials have urged residents along the Guadalupe River to evacuate and seek higher ground, as a flash flood emergency remains in effect.
