Texas law enforcement is facing difficulties from “sightseeing” individuals as they try to carry out rescue and recovery operations after recent deadly flash floods.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha asked those not engaged in recovery work to “give us room” to function effectively.
“Our first responders need access to locations to perform their duties,” he stated. “However, people from both outside and within the community are coming to observe the river and flood damage, which is complicating our efforts significantly.”
“We ask folks to give us room to work,” he added.
First responders in Texas are urging residents to stay away from areas where recovery efforts are ongoing. (AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez)
Leitha says authorities are now using heavy machinery to search through dense piles of debris that collected in “bottlenecks” at various places along the flooded rivers and creeks.
He also urged residents who have large piles of debris on their property not to use heavy machinery to remove them until first responders arrive.
“It’s possible there are victims in that debris pile,” Leitha said. “We don’t want to disturb that. Please give us a call…and let us know that you’ve got a debris pile that needs to be checked before you begin that level of clean-up.
Officials said there have confirmed 95 deaths in Kerr County alone, including 59 adults, and 36 children. Of those, 14 and 13 remain unidentified respectively.
Officials added that there are still 161 people reported missing in Kerr County, and they urged residents who may have reunited with missing loved ones to notify authorities.
Social media users, including meteorologists and leftist commentators, ripped liberals and Democratic Party figures blaming the GOP for the destruction caused by flash flooding in central Texas over the weekend. (Michel Fortier/The San Antonio Express-News via AP)
Authorities noted that some methods of search — such as horseback or ATV patrols — are currently not viable due to hazardous conditions. Numerous low-water crossings and bridges remain in need of repair before emergency teams can fully access all affected locations.
