A minimum of 20 ladies are lacking from an all-girls Christian summer season camp in south Texas after catastrophic floods struck the world 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” ladies 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 further data, and warned there might be extra.
Patrick stated victims, together with kids, had already been situated, “some in vehicles 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.
“It is 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 timber.
Patrick stated he has been in contact with President Donald Trump, who stated the White Home would ship any federal assets officers wanted.
Earlier within the day, the camp, the place roughly 750 kids have been staying, issued an announcement telling dad and mom: “In case your daughter isn’t accounted for, you could have been notified,” whereas indicating ladies situated in different elements of the camp had been discovered protected.
The officers stated the close by freeway was washed away and that the world remained with out energy, water or web and was “struggling” to get extra assist.
“Please proceed to wish and ship any assist if in case you have contacts to take action,” the officers wrote.
The camp, for women between the ages of seven and 17, was attributable to have fun its one centesimal anniversary subsequent 12 months. It’s situated close to the Guadalupe River, which authorities stated surged as a lot as 22 toes in simply half an hour Friday morning to a top of 30 toes 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 ladies 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 in regards to the lacking ladies, 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 verify that with folks out at Camp Mystic. However when it comes to what number of, precisely what number of are lacking and unaccounted for, we’re unsure about that quantity, however we have now 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 menace for potential flash flooding from San Antonio to Waco for the subsequent 24 to 48 hours, along with the continued dangers in west and central Texas,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick stated in an announcement.
