Many people living in Kerr County are dealing with the loss of their homes – as well as more than 30 of their friends and neighbors after historic flooding devastated the Hill Country.
And families in North Texas are mourning their daughters who are among those deceased victims swept away from a riverside summer camp.
HOMES DESTROYED BY GUADALUPE RIVER
Aiden Duncan has been dealing with a home and a city torn apart.
He was in his family’s RV by the Guadalupe River in Kerrville early Friday morning when the sirens started sounding and first responders told them to evacuate.
“From here all the way up, it was all gone, it was all flooded,” said Duncan.
The river’s record rise of more than 20 feet had torn apart the landscape and carried off or severely damaged homes, including Adiel Carrizales’s.
He took his three boys to safety and tried to come back for their belongings.
“But by the time I came back the water was already right here,” said Carrizales. “I’m just glad everybody was able to get out of here, I know people are dealing with a lot more than we are.”
Officials said as of Saturday afternoon at least 32 people were confirmed dead in the flooding.
NORTH TEXAS GIRLS SWEPT AWAY FROM CAMP MYSTIC
NBC 5 has learned that several of them are North Texas girls who were swept away from Camp Mystic along the river near Hunt, Texas.
Loved ones told us camper Janie Hunt from Dallas was found deceased after the flood.
The family of Dallas elementary schooler Lila Bonner said she had also passed away.
“In the midst of our unimaginable grief, we ask for privacy and are unable to confirm any details at this time,” said Bonner’s family. “We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly for others to be spared from this tragic loss.”
As of Saturday afternoon, families told NBC 5 that Eloise Peck and Wynne Naylor from Dallas were still missing from the camp.
SEARCH CONTINUES FOR VICTIMS OF CENTRAL TEXAS FLOOD
“It hurts honestly,” said Duncan.
In Kerrville, state leaders said they were proud of the resilience of Texans – and they wouldn’t stop searching until every missing person was found.
Still, those who live in and love the Hill Country have been struggling to look away from its new scars.
“If you just look at all the devastation it’s horrible,” said Duncan. “All of it’s gone.”
How to help with Central Texas flood relief
In response to questions about what people can do to help the area recover from the deadly flood, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, a 501(c)(3) charity serving the Texas Hill Country, has established a relief fund to support vetted local response, relief and recovery efforts.
Organizers said all donations go directly to organizations working on the front lines of the July 4 flooding emergency. All donations are tax-deductible, and you will receive a receipt for your gift.
To learn more or donate, visit the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country here.
Great Job Keenan Willard & the Team @ NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth Source link for sharing this story.
