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Wales Online
3 days ago
- Climate
- Wales Online
Two young girls miraculously found alive clinging to huge tree after being swept away in Texas floods
Two young girls miraculously found alive clinging to huge tree after being swept away in Texas floods The rescue represents a rare moment of hope after Kerr County authorities confirmed at least 59 deaths (Image: AFP via Getty Images ) In an extraordinary rescue, two young girls who went missing during the severe floods in Texas were discovered alive, clinging to a tree nearly 30ft high. The girls were rescued in the area between Comfort and Homillus Road in Center Point, during an ongoing search operation. Eyewitnesses described the dramatic rescue, which provided a rare glimmer of hope amidst the devastation. However, the same search efforts also recovered four bodies in the area, as reported by The Kerr County Lead. As of Sunday, Kerr County authorities confirmed at least 59 deaths, with no clear total of missing individuals across the county that has been severely impacted by the flooding. Among the confirmed dead are at least 21 children, including some who went missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls in Hunt, Texas. According to Elinor Lester, a 13-year-old camper who was rescued, the camp was "completely destroyed". Recounting the terrifying experience, she said: "The camp was completely destroyed. "A helicopter landed and started taking people away. It was really scary." The flash floods have left a trail of destruction in their wake, with water levels rising a staggering 26ft in just 45 minutes on Friday, sweeping away homes and vehicles. Article continues below With flash flood watches still in effect and further rain falling in central Texas on Sunday, the danger is far from over, reports the Manchester Evening News. Search teams utilising helicopters, boats, and drones have been working tirelessly to locate victims and assist individuals trapped in trees or isolated by destroyed roads, with more than 850 individuals rescued in just the initial 36 hours, according to official reports. President Donald Trump has activated Federal Emergency Management Agency support for Texas by formally signing a major disaster declaration for Kerr County. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here "These families are enduring an unimaginable tragedy, with many lives lost, and many still missing," stated Trump on his social media channels. In a dedicated effort to manage the catastrophe, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has promised relentless action by authorities, revealing that as floodwaters retreat, new areas are being explored. He's also designated the upcoming Sunday as a day for prayer across the state. "I urge every Texan to join me in prayer this Sunday - for the lives lost, for those still missing, for the recovery of our communities, and for the safety of those on the front lines," read Abbott's official statement. Article continues below Meanwhile, in Rome, Pope Leo XIV dedicated special prayers to those affected by the calamity. peaking in English after his Sunday noon blessing, the pontiff said: "I would like to express sincere condolences to all the families who have lost loved ones, in particular their daughters who were in summer camp, in the disaster caused by the flooding of the Guadalupe River in Texas in the United States. We pray for them."
Saudi Gazette
4 days ago
- Climate
- Saudi Gazette
Desperate search continues as Texas flood kills 51, including 15 children
TEXAS — Rescue crews scoured the devastated Hill Country region of central Texas on Saturday in a race against time to find survivors of a catastrophic flash flood that has claimed at least 51 lives — including 15 children — and left 27 girls missing from a summer camp swept away in the darkness. The flooding, triggered by torrential rainfall before dawn on Friday, caused the Guadalupe River in Kerr County to rise a staggering 26 feet (8 meters) in just 45 minutes. The deluge inundated homes, tore through youth camps, and overturned vehicles, leaving behind a wreckage of twisted trees, waterlogged debris, and traumatized survivors. At Camp Mystic, a century-old Christian girls' summer camp nestled along the riverbank, nearly all structures were destroyed. Rescuers using helicopters, drones, and boats continued combing the area for 27 girls still unaccounted for. Frantic families gathered at reunification centers, clinging to hope and sharing photos of their missing children. 'The camp was completely destroyed,' said 13-year-old camper Elinor Lester. 'A helicopter landed and started taking people away. It was really scary.' Most of the deaths were reported in Kerr County, where 43 bodies have been recovered. At least eight more fatalities were reported in neighboring counties. The overall number of missing remains unclear as officials grapple with the chaos and heavy tourist presence for the July Fourth holiday Greg Abbott declared Sunday a day of prayer across Texas and vowed continuous search-and-rescue efforts. 'I urge every Texan to join me in prayer — for the lives lost, for those still missing, for the recovery of our communities, and for the safety of those on the front lines,' he teams faced grueling conditions, navigating submerged terrain and uprooted trees while rescuing over 850 people in 36 hours. Coast Guard helicopters, Homeland Security aircraft, and first responders from across the region assisted in the effort. Authorities confirmed heroic efforts at multiple camps helped save hundreds of have begun to surface about whether sufficient warnings were issued. AccuWeather and the National Weather Service said they had alerted officials hours before the flooding, predicting flash flood potential.'These warnings should have provided officials with ample time to evacuate camps such as Camp Mystic and get people to safety,' AccuWeather said in a statement, pointing to the area's notorious vulnerability to sudden flooding due to its thin soil and hilly terrain — often referred to as 'flash flood alley.'At nearby Mo-Ranch Camp, staff moved hundreds of attendees to higher ground before the flooding began. But in many areas, including Mystic, the water arrived too quickly to fully City Manager Dalton Rice said officials had not even begun to estimate how many people were still missing. 'We're looking in every possible location,' he County Judge Rob Kelly, the county's chief elected official, said the scale of the disaster was unimaginable. 'We know we get rains. We know the river rises. But nobody saw this coming.'The county previously considered installing a flood warning siren system but never moved forward due to cost concerns. 'It's getting time now for the recovery,' Kelly said. 'And that's going to be a long, toilsome task for us.'Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who arrived on Saturday, pledged federal support. 'The rescue has gone as well as can be expected,' she said. 'Now we must prepare for what comes next.'Erin Burgess of Ingram said she clung to a tree with her teenage son after their house was flooded within 20 minutes of the first rainfall. 'My boyfriend and my dog floated away,' she said tearfully. 'He was lost for a while, but we found them.'Barry Adelman described how water forced his entire family — including a 94-year-old grandmother and 9-year-old grandson — into the attic of their three-story home. 'I had to look at my grandson and tell him everything would be OK, but inside, I was scared to death.'The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has begun collecting donations to support recovery efforts. 'When it rains here, it doesn't soak into the soil — it rushes down the hill,' said CEO Austin Dickson. 'That's why this is one of the most dangerous flood zones in the country.'As rains continue and flash flood warnings remain in effect, residents across the region are bracing for further devastation.'It's a once-in-a-century flood,' said U.S. Rep. Chip Roy. 'We'll ask questions and learn lessons, but for now, we grieve — and we search.'
Business Upturn
4 days ago
- Climate
- Business Upturn
Texas floods leave 51 dead, 27 girls missing as rescuers continue search in devastated Kerr County
A catastrophic flash flood in central Texas has left at least 51 people dead and 27 girls still missing, as search and rescue operations continue across Kerr County and surrounding areas. The disaster struck overnight Friday (July 4–5, 2025), with waters rising at unprecedented speed and engulfing homes, camps, and vehicles in what officials have called a once-in-a-century flood. The flooding has claimed the lives of at least 43 people in Kerr County alone, including 15 children, and more fatalities have been reported in nearby counties. Many of the missing are girls from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe River, which was completely destroyed when floodwaters rose 26 feet (8 meters) in just 45 minutes before dawn on Friday. Search and rescue under way Rescue crews, aided by helicopters, drones, and boats, are scouring the devastated landscape for survivors. More than 850 people have been rescued in the past 36 hours, but the fate of many remains unknown. Families and friends of the missing have posted desperate pleas and photographs on social media, hoping for information. Governor Greg Abbott declared Sunday a day of prayer for Texas and vowed to keep rescue efforts running around the clock. 'I urge every Texan to join me in prayer this Sunday — for the lives lost, for those still missing, for the recovery of our communities, and for the safety of those on the front lines,' he said. Camps and homes swept away Survivors described scenes of chaos as water tore through the hills and campsites. Elinor Lester, a 13-year-old camper at Mystic, recalled how the girls were evacuated across a bridge as water whipped around their legs. 'It was really scary,' she said. In Ingram, Erin Burgess and her son clung to a tree for an hour after floodwaters overwhelmed their home, while Barry Adelman's family, including a 94-year-old grandmother and a 9-year-old grandson, fled to their attic to escape the rising water. Questions over preparedness The scale of destruction has raised questions about whether adequate warnings and preparations were made. The National Weather Service and private forecasters say they issued flood warnings hours in advance, but many residents and camp organizers said they were caught by surprise. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly acknowledged the community's shock. 'We know we get rains. We know the river rises. But nobody saw this coming,' he said. Relief and recovery efforts begin Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem arrived in Kerr County to oversee relief efforts and pledged federal support. The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has begun collecting donations to assist victims and rebuild the devastated communities. As water levels slowly recede, officials are shifting focus from rescue to recovery, but the task ahead remains daunting. 'The rescue has gone as well as can be expected,' said Kelly. 'Now it's getting time for the recovery — and that's going to be a long, toilsome task for us.' Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Climate
- Economic Times
Texas Flood Death Toll: Families desperate as number reaches 52; 27 girls still unaccounted for as searches continue
Texas floods death toll by county: latest numbers Kerr County: 44 confirmed dead. Most victims were swept away along the Guadalupe River near Hunt and Ingram, where floodwaters rose over 25 feet in under an hour. Travis County: 5 dead. Several cars were caught on flooded roads west of Austin. Burnet County: 2 dead. A father and daughter were found in a trailer near Lake Buchanan. Kendall County: 1 confirmed dead. A woman's body was recovered near Comfort after her car was washed off a rural crossing. Live Events The missing and the waiting A region known for danger Frantic rescues, bitter questions Families swept away (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel When the rain came, it wasn't gentle. It battered central Texas in the early hours of Friday, turning the Guadalupe River into a raging force that rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes. By Saturday night, the floods had killed at least 52 people, 15 of them children, and left rescuers combing through debris and mud for the Kerr County alone, 43 lives were lost. Many were campers at Camp Mystic , a Christian summer retreat that had stood along the river for nearly a century. It's here that 27 girls are still unaccounted for.'The camp was completely destroyed,' said Elinor Lester, 13, one of the survivors. 'A helicopter landed and started taking people away. It was really scary.'The death toll from the flash floods that ripped through Texas Hill Country has climbed to 52, including 15 children. Search teams are still combing through debris and swollen rivers, with 27 girls from Camp Mystic still missing. Here's what we know so far about where victims were found:Search teams have rescued more than 850 people so far — some from trees, others from rooftops. But there's a grim sense that time is slipping away. Dalton Rice, Kerrville City Manager, said, 'We're tracking the 'known missing' — the 27 — but there could be others. We simply don't know yet.'At an elementary school acting as a reunification centre, families wait for news. Some cling to hope. Others brace for the worst.'We still have people coming here looking for their loved ones. We've had a little success, but not much,' said Bobby Templeton, superintendent of Ingram Independent School part of Texas has a nickname: flash flood alley . It's earned. The Hill Country is all rugged slopes and shallow soils that shed rain like a tin roof.'When it rains, water doesn't soak into the soil,' said Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. 'It rushes down the hill.'In the past, officials had considered setting up a flood siren system along the river — like the tornado sirens in the Midwest. 'We know we get rains. We know the river rises. But nobody saw this coming,' said Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly. He admitted the plan for flood warnings never got off the ground, partly because of the Camp Mystic, the chaos came fast. Some campers crossed bridges roped together in knee-high water. Others were lifted out by helicopter. An 8-year-old girl from Alabama was among the confirmed dead. Jane Ragsdale, co-owner of Heart O' the Hills, another nearby camp, died in the flooding Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster and urged Texans to pray. 'I urge every Texan to join me in prayer this Sunday — for the lives lost, for those still missing, for the recovery of our communities, and for the safety of those on the front lines,' he there's anger too. AccuWeather claimed its warnings, along with alerts from the National Weather Service, should have given officials enough time to evacuate vulnerable camps. 'These warnings should have provided officials with ample time to evacuate camps such as Camp Mystic and get people to safety,' the company Security Secretary Kristi Noem admitted the forecast had fallen short. 'A moderate flood watch issued on Thursday… did not accurately predict the extreme rainfall,' she NOAA director Rick Spinrad put it more bluntly: 'People's ability to prepare for these storms will be compromised. It undoubtedly means that additional lives will be lost and probably more property damage.'There's no shortage of horror stories. Erin Burgess and her teenage son clung to a tree for an hour after water poured into their house. 'My son and I floated to a tree where we hung onto it, and my boyfriend and my dog floated away. He was lost for a while, but we found them,' she Adelman watched water drive his entire family — including his 94-year-old grandmother and his 9-year-old grandson — into the attic. 'I was having to look at my grandson in the face and tell him everything was going to be OK, but inside I was scared to death.'W. Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, promised that no one will give up. 'The process is going to keep going,' he said. 'We're not going to stop until we find everyone that's missing.'President Donald Trump offered prayers and federal aid. 'Our Brave First Responders are on site doing what they do best,' he for many families in the Hill Country, the truth is harder than any headline. Tonia Fucci summed up the mood as she stood in Comfort, a town downstream from Camp Mystic. 'Complete shock. I'm still in shock today. And with the rescues going on and helicopters, you just know there's so many missing children and missing people. You just want them to be found for the sake of the families. But, you know, it's not going to be a good ending.'Here's the thing. In places like this, rain can turn deadly overnight. The question is whether this time, someone should have seen it coming.(With inputs from Agencies)
Time of India
4 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Texas Flood Death Toll: Families desperate as number reaches 52; 27 girls still unaccounted for as searches continue
Texas floods death toll by county: latest numbers Kerr County: 44 confirmed dead. Most victims were swept away along the Guadalupe River near Hunt and Ingram, where floodwaters rose over 25 feet in under an hour. Travis County: 5 dead. Several cars were caught on flooded roads west of Austin. Burnet County: 2 dead. A father and daughter were found in a trailer near Lake Buchanan. Kendall County: 1 confirmed dead. A woman's body was recovered near Comfort after her car was washed off a rural crossing. Live Events The missing and the waiting A region known for danger Frantic rescues, bitter questions Families swept away (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel When the rain came, it wasn't gentle. It battered central Texas in the early hours of Friday, turning the Guadalupe River into a raging force that rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes. By Saturday night, the floods had killed at least 52 people, 15 of them children, and left rescuers combing through debris and mud for the Kerr County alone, 43 lives were lost. Many were campers at Camp Mystic , a Christian summer retreat that had stood along the river for nearly a century. It's here that 27 girls are still unaccounted for.'The camp was completely destroyed,' said Elinor Lester, 13, one of the survivors. 'A helicopter landed and started taking people away. It was really scary.'The death toll from the flash floods that ripped through Texas Hill Country has climbed to 52, including 15 children. Search teams are still combing through debris and swollen rivers, with 27 girls from Camp Mystic still missing. Here's what we know so far about where victims were found:Search teams have rescued more than 850 people so far — some from trees, others from rooftops. But there's a grim sense that time is slipping away. Dalton Rice, Kerrville City Manager, said, 'We're tracking the 'known missing' — the 27 — but there could be others. We simply don't know yet.'At an elementary school acting as a reunification centre, families wait for news. Some cling to hope. Others brace for the worst.'We still have people coming here looking for their loved ones. We've had a little success, but not much,' said Bobby Templeton, superintendent of Ingram Independent School part of Texas has a nickname: flash flood alley . It's earned. The Hill Country is all rugged slopes and shallow soils that shed rain like a tin roof.'When it rains, water doesn't soak into the soil,' said Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. 'It rushes down the hill.'In the past, officials had considered setting up a flood siren system along the river — like the tornado sirens in the Midwest. 'We know we get rains. We know the river rises. But nobody saw this coming,' said Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly. He admitted the plan for flood warnings never got off the ground, partly because of the Camp Mystic, the chaos came fast. Some campers crossed bridges roped together in knee-high water. Others were lifted out by helicopter. An 8-year-old girl from Alabama was among the confirmed dead. Jane Ragsdale, co-owner of Heart O' the Hills, another nearby camp, died in the flooding Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster and urged Texans to pray. 'I urge every Texan to join me in prayer this Sunday — for the lives lost, for those still missing, for the recovery of our communities, and for the safety of those on the front lines,' he there's anger too. AccuWeather claimed its warnings, along with alerts from the National Weather Service, should have given officials enough time to evacuate vulnerable camps. 'These warnings should have provided officials with ample time to evacuate camps such as Camp Mystic and get people to safety,' the company Security Secretary Kristi Noem admitted the forecast had fallen short. 'A moderate flood watch issued on Thursday… did not accurately predict the extreme rainfall,' she NOAA director Rick Spinrad put it more bluntly: 'People's ability to prepare for these storms will be compromised. It undoubtedly means that additional lives will be lost and probably more property damage.'There's no shortage of horror stories. Erin Burgess and her teenage son clung to a tree for an hour after water poured into their house. 'My son and I floated to a tree where we hung onto it, and my boyfriend and my dog floated away. He was lost for a while, but we found them,' she Adelman watched water drive his entire family — including his 94-year-old grandmother and his 9-year-old grandson — into the attic. 'I was having to look at my grandson in the face and tell him everything was going to be OK, but inside I was scared to death.'W. Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, promised that no one will give up. 'The process is going to keep going,' he said. 'We're not going to stop until we find everyone that's missing.'President Donald Trump offered prayers and federal aid. 'Our Brave First Responders are on site doing what they do best,' he for many families in the Hill Country, the truth is harder than any headline. Tonia Fucci summed up the mood as she stood in Comfort, a town downstream from Camp Mystic. 'Complete shock. I'm still in shock today. And with the rescues going on and helicopters, you just know there's so many missing children and missing people. You just want them to be found for the sake of the families. But, you know, it's not going to be a good ending.'Here's the thing. In places like this, rain can turn deadly overnight. The question is whether this time, someone should have seen it coming.(With inputs from Agencies)
