Hope of finding Texas flood survivors dims as search efforts go on
Share this @internewscast.com

KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) — Hopes for finding survivors of the devastating flooding in Texas waned on Tuesday, as the death toll surpassed 100 and rescue crews continued their search for those missing in the aftermath.

The rescue efforts were aided by more favorable weather conditions. The storms that had pounded the Hill Country over the past four days began to subside, though isolated areas of heavy rain remained possible.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott planned another visit to Camp Mystic on Tuesday, the historic century-old all-girls Christian summer camp where at least 27 campers and counselors lost their lives in the flash floods. Officials reported Monday that 10 campers and one counselor were still unaccounted for.

A wall of water slammed into camps and homes along the edge of the Guadalupe River before daybreak Friday, pulling people out of their cabins, tents and trailers and dragging them for miles past floating tree trunks and cars. Some survivors were found clinging to trees.

Questions are mounting about what, if any, actions local officials took to warn campers and residents who were spending the July Fourth holiday weekend in the scenic area long known to locals as “flash flood alley.”

At public briefings, officials in hard-hit Kerr County have deflected questions about what preparations and warnings were made as forecasters warned of life-threatening conditions.

“We definitely want to dive in and look at all those things,” Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said Monday. “We’re looking forward to doing that once we can get the search and rescue complete.”

Some camps were aware of the dangers and monitoring the weather. At least one moved several hundred campers to higher ground before the floods. But many were caught by surprise.

Searchers have found the bodies of 84 people, including 28 children, in Kerr County, home to Camp Mystic and several other summer camps near the river, officials said.

Nineteen deaths were reported in Travis, Burnet, Kendall, Tom Green and Williamson counties, local officials said.

Among those confirmed dead were 8-year-old sisters from Dallas who were at Camp Mystic and a former soccer coach and his wife who were staying at a riverfront home. Their daughters were still missing.

Elizabeth Lester, a mother of children who were at Camp Mystic and nearby Camp La Junta during the flood, said her young son had to swim out a cabin window to escape. Her daughter fled up the hillside as floodwaters whipped against her legs. Both survived.

Search-and-rescue teams used heavy equipment to untangle trees and move large rocks as part of the massive search for missing people. Hundreds of volunteers have shown up to help with one of the largest rescue operations in Texas history.

Piles of twisted trees sprinkled with mattresses, refrigerators and coolers littered the riverbanks.

___

Vertuno reported from Austin, and Seewer reported from Toledo, Ohio. Contributing to this report were Associated Press writers Safiyah Riddle in Montgomery, Alabama; Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City and Sophia Tareen in Chicago.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
CIA makes social media push to recruit Iranians as Trump threatens military action

CIA Launches Social Media Campaign to Attract Iranian Recruits Amid Rising Tensions

WASHINGTON — In an effort to reach out to Iranians, the U.S.…
DHS says Columbia student taken into custody is illegal alien whose visa was terminated under Obama admin

Columbia Student’s Arrest Sparks Immigration Debate: DHS Reveals Visa Termination Under Obama Administration

In a recent development, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed to…
Adorable video shows mama bear taking shelter under Lake Tahoe cabin with her newborn cubs

Heartwarming Moment: Mama Bear and Newborn Cubs Find Cozy Refuge Under Lake Tahoe Cabin

Prepare to be charmed by some irresistibly adorable cubs! A heartwarming video…
Several treated due to mysterious smell in Glynn County; no threat to public safety, officials say

Mysterious Odor Incident in Glynn County: Officials Confirm No Public Safety Threat

A group of 11 individuals from Altama Elementary, encompassing both students and…
2026 Oscars: Javier Bardem, Chris Evans, Chase Infiniti, Demi Moore to present at 98th Academy Awards

Javier Bardem, Chris Evans, Chase Infiniti, and Demi Moore Announced as Presenters for the 98th Academy Awards in 2026

Anticipation is building as more celebrities have been confirmed to present at…
NICU baby treated by same neonatal doctor as her mom goes home after 9 months

Miraculous Homecoming: NICU Baby Cared for by Mom’s Neonatal Doctor Returns Home After 9 Months

A newborn weighing slightly more than a pound has finally been discharged…
Child predator cleared for parole arrested after surprise warrant drops hours before prison release

Last-Minute Arrest: Parolee’s Release Halted by Unexpected Warrant

A convicted child molester from California, who was on the verge of…
Frozen blueberries recalled over possible Listeria contamination

Urgent Recall Alert: Frozen Blueberries Pose Listeria Risk – What You Need to Know Now!

A company based in Oregon is pulling back almost 56,000 pounds of…
Pink denies separation from husband, sarcastically thanks media for letting her know

Pink Shuts Down Divorce Rumors with Husband, Offers Sarcastic Thanks to Media for the ‘Update

Renowned rock & roll icon Pink was taken by surprise when she…
NYPD arrests suspect in park attack on officers that Mamdani dismissed as 'snowball fight'

NYPD Nabs Suspect in Controversial Park Incident Amid Mamdani’s ‘Snowball Fight’ Remarks

In a noteworthy development, the New York Police Department apprehended a 27-year-old…
IDF fatally shoots Gaza terrorist, uncovers tunnel network

IDF Neutralizes Gaza Militant, Discovers Extensive Tunnel System

On Thursday, Israeli forces stationed in the southern Gaza Strip shot and…
Horrific video shows the moment suspected gangster kills tourist with single karate chop

Shocking Footage: Suspected Gangster Fatally Strikes Tourist with Single Karate Chop in Disturbing Incident

**Caution – Graphic Content** A chilling video has surfaced showing the shocking…