At least 13 dead in Texas as devastating floods slam Hill Country, officials say | FROUSA Media

“Within 45 minutes, the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet and it was a destructive flood — taking property and sadly lives,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said during a news conference Friday afternoon, adding that they got 12 inches or more of rain per hour. 

The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office said during a news briefing that 13 people have died in the flooding. Patrick said about six to 10 bodies have been found, and that the situation is fluid and ongoing. He said he expects the fatality count to rise.

There are hundreds of people on the ground from various units helping with search and rescue operations, Patrick said, including swimmers in the water, 12 drones and 14 helicopters.

Texas issued flash flood emergencies in five counties in West Texas on Friday as Hill Country continues to be slammed by severe rain and flooding. Between 5 and 11 inches of rain have fallen in northwestern Bandera County, Central Kerr County, Northeastern Tom Green County, East Central Kerr County and West Central Kendall County, according to the National Weather Service. 

About 20 unaccounted for at Camp Mystic

Patrick addressed parents of children at Camp Mystic, where there were about 750 children at summer camp when the floods hit. The lieutenant governor, who is acting as governor while Gov. Greg Abbott is on vacation, said around 20 children were unaccounted for on Friday. He said they are praying for all those missing “to be found alive.”

“If they are alive and safe, we will find them and bring them home to you,” Patrick said.

The camp said in a statement, read by Patrick, that there has been a “catastrophic level” of flooding. He told parents watching the news conference that if they have not been contacted, their child is accounted for at this time. 

Patrick said Camp Mystic is an all-girls summer camp in the area that has several camps with thousands of children attending for the summer. The camp said they have no power, no water and no Wi-Fi , adding that “the highway has washed away, so we are struggling to get more help.”

Earlier Friday, the city of Kerrville, Texas, said in a social media post, “Search and recovery efforts are ongoing and will increase as the waters recede.” 

Water rescues continue along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, with a number of local and regional emergency service organizations taking part, the city said. The Guadalupe River at Hunt reached its second-highest height on record, higher than the famous 1987 flood, the city said, citing the National Weather Service.

Sen. Ted Cruz said in a statement posted to social media, “Please pray right now for everyone in the Hill Country, especially Camp Mystic.” He said multiple helicopters are performing search and rescue, and added that he’s spoken with Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov Patrick, the head of the Texas Division of Emergency Management and President Trump.

“President Trump committed ANYTHING Texas needs,” Cruz said. 

Abbott said the state has mobilized resources to assist those dealing with the floods.

“Texas is providing all necessary resources to Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt and the entire Texas Hill Country dealing with these devastating floods,” Abbott said Friday in a statement. “The State of Texas today has mobilized additional resources in addition to the resources sent in preparation for the storms. I urge Texans to heed guidance from state and local officials and monitor local forecasts to avoid driving into flooded areas.”