A powerful storm triggered a deadly flash flood in the Texas Hill country in the early hours of Friday, which sent a wall of water through the Gwadalup River and the summer camps of houses, vehicles and a girls were removed. At least 27 people have been confirmed the dead and many others are still missing.Suddenly flooded before dawn at the fourth place of July holiday, surprised many residents, campers and local authorities. Efforts to rescue with helicopters, drones and hundreds of emergency personnel continued through Saturday.
Camp Mystic was destroyed, children disappeared
A Christian summer camp for girls, camp mystic, was completely destroyed when the river was suddenly swollen. About 24 missing persons are believed to be considered children from the camp.“The camp was completely destroyed,” 13 -year -old Eleinor Leaster, a tourist said. “A helicopter landed and started taking people away. It was really scary.”The rescue team used ropes to guide the children on a flooded bridge as the water revolves around their feet.
Flash flood hit before dawn
The river increased 26 feet (8 meters) in the first 45 minutes of the day on Friday. A nearby gauge recorded an increase of 22-foot in two hours before failing at 29.5 feet.The National Weather Service’s Bob Phogartha said, “The water is moving so fast, you are not going to recognize how bad it is to you.”
Hundreds saved, searching continues
Texas officials confirmed that 240 people were rescued so far, helping 400 personnel on the ground search and rescue efforts. Some people were drawn from trees and roofs.Rescue teams were using helicopters and drones, many families were still posting photos and appeals on social media, looking for missing loved ones.
The survivors remember narrow migration
In Ingram, Erin Burges said that his house was filled with water within minutes. He and his son clung to a tree, while his boyfriend and dog went away before being found later.“Thankfully he is longer than 6 feet. This is the only thing that saved me,” he said about his 19 -year -old son.Barry Edelman said his family was forced into the attic of his three -storey house. “I was afraid,” he said. “I was doing my grandson to see on the face and was telling him that everything was going to recover, but I was scared of death inside.”At a renovation center in Ingram, the family cried and came out and became happy. A young girl entered her mother’s arms in a camp mystic shirt.
No emergency alert for many
Many residents said that they did not receive any flood warnings. Matthew Stone of Kerville said: “We did not get any emergency warning. There was nothing. Then a black wall of death.”Judge Rob Kelly, a top officer of Ker County, said, “We don’t have a warning system.” He said, “The rest of the assurance, no one knew that this kind of flood was coming.”
Rain exceeded forecasts
Officials said the storm rained more than the prediction. The forecasts suggested 3 to 6 inches of rain, but yoga was much more.“It did not predict the amount of rain, which we saw,” said Nim Kid, head of emergency management Texas Division.
Flood deteriorated in hill country geography
Texas Hill Country is known as “Flash Flood Ale” due to its steep slopes and thin soils that do not absorb rain.“When it rains, the water does not absorb in the soil,” said Austin Dixon of the Community Foundation, Texas Hill Country. “It runs down from the hill.”
