At least 43 people, including 15 children, dead in devastating floods in Texas

More than 40 people have died and search and rescue operations are still ongoing after devastating lightning flows that beat central Texas And caused the Guadalupe River to float over, according to officials.

According to A statement from Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha, Divided on Saturday, July 5, the bodies of 43 people have been recovered.

“We continue to have hundreds of first respondents on the ground, air and water in the process of searching and rescue,” Sheriff’s Office wrote in a statement. “From 17:30 (local time) we have recovered 43 deceased in Kerr County, including 28 adults and 15 children. Twelve adults are waiting for identification and 5 children are also ongoing identification.”

Other reports, including from CBS news and NBC NewsState that the death had risen to 47 from Saturday afternoon, and that the number is expected to increase when more are available.

According to the sheriff’s office, Leitha met several political persons earlier on Saturday, including secretaries for the Department of Home Security Kristi Noem, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas Rep. Chip Roy and Texas Senator John Cornyn.

“We appreciate the support we receive from all government levels, from local authorities to state and federal rescue persons,” dedicated to the office in their statement. “Work continues and will continue until everyone is found.”

Floods in the Guadalupe river made it reach its The second highest altitude Ever, ABC Affiliate Eyewitness reported. The area received at least 10 inches of rain, per San Antonio outlet Ksat.

Kerr County, which is about 50 miles northwest of San Antonio, has been particularly hit by the floods. The city of Kerrville explained a emergency Due to the floods, while Hunt (even in Kerr County) experienced more than six inches of rain in three hours on Friday, which is a “1-in-00-year-old event” in the region, according to CNN.

CNN reported that the flooded region experienced “more than a whole summer rain value” in a few hours.

“This could be a flood once in a lifetime,” Clint Morris, a spokesman for Kerr County Sheriff’s Office, told Ksat. He added that it was “an extremely active scene, county throughout the country.”

Many people remain missing, including a group of friends from the college age who lived in a cabin along the River-Ala Cahill, Aidan Heartfield, Joyce Badon and Reese Manchaca, according to Beaumont Enterprise.

Talk to CNN On Saturday, Joyce’s father, for Badon, said that all four families are still hoping that their children will be found.

“There have been four yesterday morning that we were told that they were on the phone with Aidan’s father, which they own the house where they were,” he said, leaving that the house “is no longer there.”

“Aidan said:” Hi, I have to go, I have to help Ella and Reese … They were just washed away, “and then a few seconds later the phone just got dead, and that’s all we know,” said the 21-year-old’s father and remembers his last contact with the group.

“We pray that all four are still alive,” Ty said, holding back tears. “All four are missing. They are still missing.”

In the middle of the floods it was an evacuation overnight by Camp Mystic-a All-Girls, Christian Summer Camp there Several girls have disappearedThe Ksat previously reported.

Directors at Kerr County Camp Bad as information on help, according to San Antonio Express-News. The directors also said that Lowstocks were flooded and may have been washed away.

Gov Dan Patrick said 23 of Camp Mystics 750 Campers are not reported, according to ABC Affiliate Eyewitness.

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People previously reached out to Kerr County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) for an update of the missing girls.

On one statement On July 4, Gov. said. Abbott that the state “provides all the necessary resources to Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt and the entire Texas Hill Country that handles these devastating floods.”

“The state of Texas has today mobilized additional resources in addition to the resources sent to prepare the storms,” ​​he continued. “I urge Texans to follow guidance from state and local officials and monitor local forecasts to avoid driving to flooded areas.”