87 Dead After Floods in Texas, Many Still Missing
By Tuesday morning, officials in Kerr County, Texas, said they had found the bodies of 87 people who died in the recent floods. Sheriff Larry Leitha told reporters that the victims include at least 27 girls and camp staff who were at a summer camp on the Guadalupe River during the Fourth of July weekend.
He added that five campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic are still missing.
Local officials said at least 108 people have died due to the floods across central Texas.
Trump Visits and Response
During a meeting, President Donald Trump said he and First Lady Melania Trump would visit Texas on Friday. He said his good relationship with the Republican governor helped with rescue efforts.
“We brought in many helicopters from all over. They rescued a lot of people. Texas also had good teams. The response has been amazing,” Trump said.
Although Trump had earlier said disaster help should come from the states, he signed a major disaster order this week. This allowed federal money and resources to be used.
Difficult Search and Rescue
Ben Baker, who works with the Texas Game Wardens, said search and rescue teams are using helicopters, drones, and dogs, but the deep water and thick mud are making their work very hard.
He said piles of debris are dangerous and slow down efforts. “It’s very risky, takes a lot of time, and the work is tough. The water is still there,” he explained.
He also said they are taking care of the mental health of rescue workers, especially since they are finding the bodies of children.
In the town of Hunt, where the flood was worst, AFP reporters saw workers digging through debris with helicopters flying overhead. Hopes of finding survivors were fading.
A 24-year-old man, Javier Torres, was looking for the body of his grandmother. He had already found his grandfather’s body and also found two children who had washed up by the river.
Officials warned that more heavy rain is coming, which could make rescue work even harder. “More water might be coming in. That will affect our efforts,” Baker said. But he added that bad weather won’t stop the teams from working.
Questions About Warning Systems
Some people are now asking if funding cuts by Trump affected warning systems and made the disaster worse.
At a press conference, Baker avoided answering questions about how quickly the emergency teams responded. “We are focusing on bringing people home,” he said.
Weather expert Shel Winkley said the area was already in a very bad drought, so the dry ground couldn’t absorb the rain. He also blamed the storm leftovers from Tropical Storm Beryl and the area’s geography for the disaster.
Tom Di Liberto, a media director at Climate Central, said that staff shortages at the National Weather Service made things worse. Many experienced weather experts have left, and new ones don’t yet have the same skills, he said.
Mutib Khalid is a skilled content writer and digital marketer with a knack for crafting compelling narratives and optimizing digital strategies. Excel in creating engaging content that drives results and enhances online presence. Passionate about blending creativity with data-driven approaches, Mutib Khalid helps brands connect with their audience and achieve their goals.