Not less than 20 women are lacking from an all-girls Christian summer time camp in south Texas after catastrophic floods struck the realm within the wake of extreme in a single day storms.
In a press convention Friday afternoon, Dan Patrick, the lieutenant governor of Texas, stated “20-some” women attending Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, remained unaccounted for, later estimating the determine was “about 23.”
At a separate press convention in Kerr County on Friday afternoon, County Sheriff Larry L. Leitha Jr. stated there had been 13 fatalities, with out providing extra info, and warned there might be extra.
Patrick stated victims, together with youngsters, had already been positioned, “some in automobiles washed out upstream.”
“We don’t know the place these our bodies got here from,” he stated, with out ruling out that some could have come from the camp.
“This can be a mass casualty occasion,” stated Freeman Martin, Texas’ director of public security.
Patrick stated 18 helicopters and 400 to 500 rescue employees are collaborating within the search-and-rescue mission, and that some people had already been rescued from bushes.
Patrick stated he has been in contact with President Donald Trump, who stated the White Home would ship any federal sources officers wanted.
Earlier within the day, the camp, the place roughly 750 youngsters have been staying, issued an announcement telling mother and father: “In case your daughter just isn’t accounted for, you may have been notified,” whereas indicating women positioned in different components of the camp had been discovered protected.
The officers stated the close by freeway was washed away and that the realm remained with out energy, water or web and was “struggling” to get extra assist.
“Please proceed to wish and ship any assist when you’ve got contacts to take action,” the officers wrote.
The camp, for ladies between the ages of seven and 17, was attributable to have a good time its a centesimal anniversary subsequent yr. It’s positioned close to the Guadalupe River, which authorities stated surged as a lot as 22 ft in simply half an hour Friday morning to a top of 30 ft within the close by city of Consolation in Kerr County, breaking a file that had stood for many years.
The Division of Homeland Safety stated Friday afternoon that Secretary Kristi Noem had activated the U.S. Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Administration Company “to attempt to get these women to security” and was coordinating with state and native leaders.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, additionally issued a assertion on X shortly after 4 p.m. ET.
“Please pray proper now for everybody within the Hill Nation, particularly Camp Mystic,” he wrote. “In the present day, I’ve spoken with Gov Abbott, Lt. Gov Patrick, the pinnacle of TDEM & President Trump. A number of helicopters are performing search & rescue. President Trump dedicated ANYTHING Texas wants.”
In a press convention earlier Friday, Kerr County Choose Rob Kelly confirmed six deaths from the catastrophic flooding, with the toll anticipated to rise, in line with the Austin American-Statesman.
Requested concerning the lacking women, Kelly confirmed some remained unaccounted for.
“We all know that there are some lacking,” he stated. “We all know the place a few of them are; they’re stranded, and we’re working to substantiate that with folks out at Camp Mystic. However by way of what number of, precisely what number of are lacking and unaccounted for, we’re undecided about that quantity, however we’ve a bunch of them we’re attempting to get again.”
Flood warnings all through the state stay in place via the weekend.
“There may be an ongoing risk for doable flash flooding from San Antonio to Waco for the following 24 to 48 hours, along with the continued dangers in west and central Texas,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick stated in an announcement.
