Search for Texas flood victims paused as heavy rains bring new threat of high waters
Share this @internewscast.com


KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) Emergency crews suspended their search for victims of catastrophic flooding in central Texas on Sunday morning amid new warnings that additional rain would again cause waterways to surge.

It was the first time a new round of severe weather has paused the search since the flooding earlier this month.

Ingram Fire Department officials ordered search crews to immediately evacuate the Guadalupe River corridor in Kerr County until further notice, warning the potential for a flash flood is high. Search-and-rescue teams have been searching for missing victims of the July 4 weekend flooding.

Search and rescue efforts were expected to resume on Monday, depending on river flow, Fire Department spokesman Brian Lochte said.

“We’re working with a few crews and airboats and SAR (search-and-rescue) boats just in case,” Lochte said.

As heavy rain fell Sunday, National Weather Service forecasters warned that the Guadalupe River could rise to nearly 15 feet (4.6 meters) by Sunday afternoon, about five feet above flood stage and enough to put the Highway 39 bridge near Hunt under water.

“Numerous secondary roads and bridges are flooded and very dangerous,” a weather service warning said.

The destructive, fast-moving waters rose 26 feet (8 meters) on the Guadalupe River in just 45 minutes before daybreak on July 4, washing away homes and vehicles. Ever since, searchers have used helicopters, boats and drones to look for victims and to rescue people stranded in trees and from camps isolated by washed-out roads.

The floods laid waste to the Hill Country region of Texas. The riverbanks and hills of Kerr County are filled with vacation cabins, youth camps and campgrounds, including Camp Mystic, the century-old all-girls Christian summer camp.

Located in a low-lying area along the Guadalupe River in a region known as flash flood alley, Camp Mystic lost at least 27 campers and counselors and longtime owner Dick Eastland.

The flood was far more severe than the 100-year event envisioned by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, experts said, and moved so quickly in the middle of the night that it caught many off guard in a county that lacked a warning system.

The sheer amount of rain was overwhelming. Former NOAA chief scientist Ryan Maue, a private meteorologist, calculated on July 5 that the storm had dropped 120 billion gallons of water on Kerr County, which received the brunt of the storm.

This summer, flash flooding driven by bursts of heavy rain turned deadly elsewhere in Texas. In San Antonio in June, more than 7 inches (18 centimeters) of rain fell over a span of hours, prompting dozens of rescues from the fast-rising floodwaters and killing at least 13.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Tusculum University Invites the Public to Explore the Future of AI at Upcoming Summit

Tusculum University is set to host the Appalachian AI Summit, inviting community…

Atlanta Hawks to Host Magic City Tribute Night Featuring Lemon Pepper Wings, T.I., and Exclusive Merchandise

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Hawks are gearing up for an intriguing event…

Empowering Black Fathers: Essential Resources to Support Pregnant Partners Through Birth

INDIANAPOLIS – As JaKobi Burton gently holds his newborn daughter in their…

Virginia Senate Moves to Eliminate Billion-Dollar Tax Break for Data Centers, Sparking Economic Debate

Virginia’s data centers could soon face new financial obligations, as recent developments…

Daytona Beach Police Report: 8-Year-Old Detained for Allegedly Brandishing Firearm in Park Incident

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Authorities in Daytona Beach took an 8-year-old boy…

Mexico’s Disappeared: A City’s Silent Protest and Families’ Fight Against Erasure

GUADALAJARA – In Mexico’s bustling second-largest city, the streets tell a poignant…

FedEx Pledges to Pass On Trump Tariff Refunds to Customers, Boosting Consumer Confidence

NEW YORK – FedEx announced on Thursday its commitment to refund any…

Kansas Overturns Over 1,000 Transgender Residents’ Driver’s Licenses and Birth Certificates

On Thursday, a new Kansas law came into effect, which nullifies amendments…

Sweden Thwarts Potential Russian Drone Amid French Aircraft Carrier’s Arrival

STOCKHOLM – Swedish military forces have intercepted what they suspect to be…

Traffic Alert: Major Delays on Interstate 26 in Gray Following Morning Crash

A traffic incident involving multiple vehicles caused significant delays on Interstate 26…