At least 32 people, including 14 children, have died in Kerr County, Texas, after flash flooding swept through the state. Of those dead, eight have yet to be identified.
Officials say search and rescue operations remain ongoing as 27 girls are still missing after flood waters engulfed the Christian camp on the banks of the Guadalupe River where they were spending part of their summer.
Heavy rainfall continues to make its way through the Lone Start State, and the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued new flood warnings across the region as residents contend with the torrential weather.
The mayor of one of the worst affected towns, Kerrville, has urged everyone to pray for his community – a sentiment Texas Governor Greg Abbott echoed as he signed an extended emergency declaration and requested support from the federal government.
With children still missing, homes destroyed and danger still looming, authorities have been asking Texans to do what they do best and stick together.
‘We never expected that at all’ – Kerrville resident
We meet Karen Rector standing outside her Kerrville home as she looks out at workers cutting down trees fallen over by the flood.
In the 25 years she has lived in her mobile home that looks out towards the Guadalupe River, she has never seen the water rise as high as it did two nights ago.
“It’s the first time it’s ever gotten like that,” Rector tells us, remembering hearing the sound of the roaring water. “We never expected that at all.”
She had left her home in the middle of the night, urged to leave by a neighbour. She returned when the flooding had receded to find the water had reached the base of her mobile home but didn’t make it inside.
Rector says she is grateful the damage was not worse being so close to the river.
“I’m very, very thankful,” she says. “There’s no telling what the water could’ve done.”
Damage is palpable in Kerrville as debris line the Guadalupe River
Downed trees and debris line the Guadalupe River in Kerrville. Although much of the water has receded, the damage is palpable.
Water in the county rose up to 26 feet high. Mud and puddles extend far above and beyond the river itself.
By the river, all sorts of objects are strewn about: A white and pink flowered couch flipped upside down, its ruffles turned over. An orange water cooler amid tree trunks, its interior filled with dirt.
A several-ton dumpster fully flattened against a walkway, half-submerged under water.
This on just a sliver of a river whose damage extends for miles.
Questions about early warnings come amid budget cuts
Details on why “there was no early warning on Texas floods” may follow.
But even before this tragic extreme event, there had already been worries over Trump administration’s budget cuts to the US’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – the government agency that operates the country’s National Weather Service.
Meteorologists in the US and elsewhere have expressed concerns over “reduced number of weather balloons” that observe wind, relative humidity and pressure above the ground.
They say budget cuts have meant that around 20% less weather balloons are now being released for such observation and that can impact accurate weather forecasting.
Experts are also worried over possible impacts on ocean observation because half of the argo floats – robotic instruments that float on the ocean and dive in on a regular basis to measure water temperature, salinity and other parameters – are NOAA’s.
And NOAA budget cuts can mean no new replacements of its argo floats to study oceans that drive our climate systems.
All this is bad news not just for the US weather and climate forecasting, but also for many met offices around the world that depend on NOAA’s services, experts say.
What we learned from the latest Texas floods update
A short while ago, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and other state and local officials wrapped up a press conference to give an update on search and rescue operations after flash flooding caused major damage along the Guadalupe River.
Here’s what we learned:
- The death toll has risen from 27 to 32, including 18 adults and 14 children. Five adults and three children remain unidentified, but the Kerr County sheriff says numbers will continue to change
- He adds that 27 are still missing from an all-girls Christian summer camp located on the banks of the Guadalupe River
- More than 850 people were rescued in the first 36 hours of the search operation, says Texas Governor Greg Abbott as he praises local and state authorities
- Responders are still looking for “living people” says the chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management. He adds that they will not stop until they “find everyone”
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem saysTrump is “devastated” by the floods, adding that the government is bringing in helicopters to help with rescue operations
- When asked whether the tragedy is due to “fundamental failure” on the government’s part when it came to giving people early warnings, she says the “weather is difficult to predict” but adds Trump is seeking to modernise the current system
Barbed wire prevented Kerrville teen from being swept away
On the banks of the Guadalupe river we meet Jonathan and Brittany Rojas, who have come to see the damage to a relative’s home.
Five people were in the house the night of the flooding – the mother and a small child are still missing.
What’s left of the house is the foundations with the entirety of the house swept up in the floods and moved along the street.
As we speak to Jonathan and Brittany, a neighbour of their relatives comes by to give them a money jar which says ‘Leo’s survival kit’ on it.
They say the son, Leo, survived partly thanks to barbed wire being caught in his body which prevented him from being swept away.
Jonathan and Brittany say the money jar will be reunited with Leo who is currently in hospital, one of his only possessions left after this tragedy.
Weather is difficult to predict, says Noem
One journalist asks if there was a “fundamental failure” from government when it came to giving people early warnings ahead of the floods.
Noem takes this one and says the “weather is difficult to predict”. She says over the years the National Weather Service has done well.
“At times we have all wanted more time, more warning or more alerts,” she says.
She says this is one area that Donald Trump has says he wants to fix.
The press conference has now concluded.
Thirty-two confirmed dead, including 18 adults and 14 children – Sheriff
Here’s the latest update from officials on the numbers: 32 deceased – 18 are adults 14 are children.
Five adults and three children remain unidentified. Numbers will continue to change, the official says.
‘We’re not going to stop until we find everyone’ – police chief
Chief Kidd is telling reporters all of the river is being searched for people.
“That process is going to keep going, we’re not going to stop until we find everyone,” he says.
Kidd adds that ground teams are working on the search effort as well.
Responders still looking for ‘living people’, says official
Officials are now taking questions from reporters.
Responding to a question on whether this is a rescue mission or a recovery operation, Chief Kidd says rescue operations continue, and responders are still looking for living people.
He notes that it will turn to recovery eventually but for now the search continues.
Official says damage assessment to begin soon
Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) W. Nim Kidd says assessment of damage will start as soon as possible, “we continue to work forward”.
‘We will rescue those in peril’ – Kerville mayor
Now speaking is Kerrville Mayor Don Herring Jr who says they will “rescue those in peril and find those who are lost”.
He thanks the state and federal officials for helping and asks for people to pray for Kerr County.
Nobody saw this coming, says County Judge Kelly
The next speaker, Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, says that his house, along the Guadalupe River, is one of those decimated by the floods.
“I barely got home yesterday,” he says.
He says his morning started by ushering in a crew with dump trailers, tree trucks, “trying to rebuild what went down the river”.
Kelly says he’s also spent time today at the funeral home where many of the body bags are. He says locals know that the river rises but “nobody saw this coming”.
“The rescue has gone as well as can be expected, it’s time now for the recovery,” he says.
Congressman Roy calls disaster response ‘professional’
Now speaking is Congressman Chip Roy who says this tragedy “hits home” for him as he comes down to Kerr every 4th of July with his family.
“It hits us personally as this is our community and our home,” he says.
He praises the local leadership and what they have been doing in the face of this disaster.
“I can’t say enough about what they have done,” he says.
He says that the reaction has been “professional and extremely well done”.
More than 850 people rescued in 36 hours, says Abbott
We’re hearing more from Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
He notes that officials have rescued more than 850 people in the last 36 hours and that rescue efforts are continuing.
Abbott praises local officials and state agencies, before handing it over to Senator John Cornyn.
Cornyn says he has been to a number of disaster sites across the state over the years, and he remains impressed with the work of the Texas Department of Emergency Management.
He then points to people standing behind them who he says did the work on the ground without waiting for federal government.
“They’re getting the job done,” Cornyn says.
More aircraft and helicopters to assist with rescue operations – Noem
Noem continues by saying that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is standing at an “enhanced level” which means they are plugged in to the state operations centre.
She adds that they will continue to help in a timely and responsive manner.
“The state of Texas is amazing in how it responds to disasters – not every state is like that,” she says.
“You are an example to the nation and also know that you’re not alone.”
Noem said the government will continue to bring more resources including more fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters to help with rescue operations.
Noem promises federal response and relief
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is speaking now and says President Trump is “devastated” by the loss of life from the floods.
She says the president told her to tell Texans how much he and Melania are grieving, and says he’s committed to give all the federal government resources to support in the search efforts.
Noem says local responders are the best to act because they know the area, but federal government has to be present to give as much support as possible. She adds that response and relief will be coming to the area.
Texas governor signs expanded disaster declaration
Abbott has signed an expanded “disaster declaration” that includes Bexar, Burnet, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Travis and Williamson counties.
“We will continue to add counties as needed, as conditions improve or worsen, want to make sure every county has the resources it needs” he says.
He turns to US President Donald Trump who he says “loves Texas”. The governor’s declaration includes seeking the help of the federal government, as he thanks Trump in advance for his support.
We will stop when job is completed, says Abbott on rescue operations
Governor Greg Abbott starts off the afternoon press conference with praise for the community and how it is working together in the wake of the tragic floods.
“I’ve observed quintessential Texas, we come together, we unite, this is what happens,” he says, noting the “extraordinary devastation”.
Abbott says officials will be relentless in ensuring they locate “every single person who’s been a victim of this event,” adding that “we will stop when job is completed”.
SOURCE: BBC NEWS
