24 Dead, 20 Girls Missing as Flooding Ravages Central Texas

Contact Your Elected Officials

Officials are warning residents to avoid travel, citing rapidly rising rivers, unstable ground, and life-threatening floodwaters.

Catastrophic flash flooding triggered by torrential rainfall has left 24 people dead, others missing, and extensive damage across parts of central Texas, prompting urgent rescue operations and widespread power outages on Independence Day.

At a news conference late Friday, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said โ€œabout 24โ€ people were dead after at least 10 inches of rain poured down overnight.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said during an afternoon news conference that 20 children were still missing at a Christian summer camp for girls alongside the Guadalupe River in Hunt, a suburb of San Antonio. Federal resources have been mobilized to assist with efforts to rescue the missing girls.

โ€œ[Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem] has been working around-the-clock with state and local leaders in Texas and has activated [U.S. Coast Guard and Federal Emergency Management Agency] resources to try to get these girls to safety,โ€ Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement on social media. โ€œPray for Texas and these beautiful young girls.โ€

The National Weather Service (NWS) reported that between 5 and 12 inches of rain fell in some areas, with storms continuing to produce additional heavy rainfall and dangerous runoff. Flash Flood Warnings and Flood Warnings remain in effect across several counties, including Kerr, Bandera, Llano, Mason, Kendall, Comal, San Saba, and others.

โ€œThis is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation,โ€ warned an NWS alert for Kerr County, urging residents to seek higher ground immediately. โ€œDo not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order. Turn around, donโ€™t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.โ€

The Kerr County Sheriffโ€™s Office described the flooding as โ€œcatastrophicโ€ and confirmed fatalities, though details remain limited pending notification of next of kin.

โ€œThis is a catastrophic flooding event in Kerr County,โ€ the Sheriffโ€™s Office said in a statement on social media. โ€œWe can confirm fatalities but will not release further information until next of kin are notified. Our Office is working with a wide variety of local and state agencies to respond to calls and rescues. The entire county is an extremely active scene. Residents are encouraged to shelter in place and not attempt travel. Those near creeks, streams, and the Guadalupe River should immediately move to higher ground.โ€

By Tom Ozimek

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

250 Countdown

Those 56 intrepid men who signed put their very lives, honor and fortunes on the line. There was no auto-quill to accommodate their signatures.ย 

How the Senate Parliamentarian Changed the OBBB

An unelected bureaucrat does a important job in the U.S. Senate. Elizabeth MacDonough enforces senate rules on Trumpโ€™s โ€œOne Big Beautiful Billโ€.

Bioterror Roundup: CDC Director Nominee Is a Monster + New mRNA Pregnancy Studies

Bioterror Propaganda Roundup: The latest updates on the โ€œnew...

The Sacred Honor of the 56

Today we're celebrating the sacred honor of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence.

Alligator Alcatraz: A Bold Step Toward Secure Borders

Alligator Alcatraz funded through FEMA, represents a decisive move by the Trump admin to address illegal immigration with efficiency and resolve.

New White House Faith Office Aims to Ensure US Is Beacon of Freedom for Others

The White House Faith Office wants to see the United States as the leader in advancing religious freedom, its faith director Jennifer Korn said.

Federal Reserve Rates Are Too High, Says Former World Bank Chief

Rates should be between 0.25 and 1.75 percent rather...

Newly Naturalized Citizens Say What American Freedom Means to Them

Nearly 820,000 people pledged allegiance to the United States and became naturalized citizens in 2024.

Noem Waives Environmental Restrictions to Fast-Track Water Barriers in Rio Grande

DHS Sec Kristi Noem waived federal environmental laws to fast-track construction of 17 miles of waterborne barriers in the Rio Grande in South Texas.

Trump Indicates Legislation for Hiring Illegal Aliens on Farms

Trump to allow illegal immigrants who work on farms to continue working to prevent unnecessary disruptions to farming across the country.

US Keeps Pressure on Chinese Goods Amid Vietnam Trade Deal

Transshippingโ€”rerouting goods through a third country to disguise the origin of the productsโ€”is a focal point of trade negotiations with Asian markets.

White House Report Reveals Top Earners, Staffers Working for No Salary

The Trump admin released its yearly report that shows the salaries for White House staffers, also revealing officials who arenโ€™t accepting salaries at all.

Transportation Secretary Urges Governors to Remove Political Messages From Crosswalks, Intersections

Duffy sent letters to governors, mayor of D.C., and gov of Puerto Rico urging them to remove political messaging from intersections and crosswalks.
spot_img

Related Articles