Catastrophic Texas floods leave over 160 missing, death toll rises to 109

More than 160 radical stay unaccounted for aft devastating floods successful Texas, Governor Greg Abbott announced, marking a melodramatic summation successful the fig of missing from a catastrophe that has already killed 109 people.

Four days aft flash floods ravaged respective Texas counties, immoderate striking portion residents slept, hopes of uncovering survivors by Tuesday person dwindled – and Abbott warned that the fig of missing radical could inactive emergence further.

“Just successful the Kerr County country alone, determination are 161 radical who are known to beryllium missing,” helium told reporters connected Tuesday arsenic the grim hunt continued.

“There precise apt could beryllium much added to that list,” helium added, explaining that the fig comes from individuals reported missing by friends, relatives and neighbours.

Kerr County, located successful cardinal Texas’s “Flash Flood Alley,” suffered the astir catastrophic impact, with astatine slightest 94 confirmed deaths.

This toll includes astatine slightest 27 girls and counsellors who were staying astatine a younker summertime campy on the Guadalupe River erstwhile it overflowed aboriginal connected Friday greeting arsenic the Fourth of July vacation began.

Powerful floodwaters surged done the camp, demolishing cabins portion hundreds slept.

As of Tuesday evening, 5 campers and 1 counsellor remained missing, according to Abbott, on with different kid not associated with the camp.

“There’s thing much important successful our hearts and minds than the radical of this community, particularly those who are inactive lost,” Abbott said.

Throughout the remainder of the state, astatine slightest 15 further deaths person been recorded, the politician added.

Ben Baker with the Texas crippled wardens explained that hunt and rescue operations utilizing helicopters, drones and dogs look tremendous obstacles owed to h2o and mud.

“When we’re trying to marque these recoveries, these ample piles tin beryllium precise obstructive, and to get successful heavy into these piles, it’s precise hazardous,” Baker said.

“It’s highly treacherous, time-consuming. It’s soiled work, the h2o is inactive there.”