On Tuesday afternoon, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Freeman Martin confirmed that at least 109 people were dead and 161 were missing following the intense flash flooding that devastated Texas over the weekend.
Dozens of residents are still missing after a storm surged the Guadalupe River.
Governor Greg Abbott flew over the flood-affected areas on the morning of July 8, which left 87 victims in Kerr County alone, home to Camp Mystic, a Christian camp exclusively for girls.
During a press conference at the scene of the tragedy, Abbott highlighted President Donald Trump's support."He kept talking about how sad he was for all the little girls who had lost their lives," the governor said.
Kerr County authorities said their priority right now is to recover the victims, not recount what happened hours before the tragedy in the Hill Country.
“Right now, this team is focused on bringing people home,” Lt. Col. Ben Baker said during the media briefing.
Following Tuesday afternoon's press conference, Abbott took a few minutes to exchange comments with the Hunt County community.
Before dawn on Friday, July 4th, Independence Day, the Guadalupe River rose 8 meters in less than 45 minutes amid heavy rains.
In the aftermath of the floods, mud-covered blankets and pillows lay scattered across the hill at Camp Mystic, which slopes down to the banks of the Guadalupe River. Among the mud and debris were suitcases in shades of pink, purple, and light blue, still adorned with stickers, a silent testament to the daily life shared by the girls there.
The human impact of the tragedy became evident when the identities of some of the victims were confirmed: a second-grader known for her fondness for glitter and hair bows; a 19-year-old counselor who acted as a guide for the campers; and the 75-year-old camp director.
The mobilization in response to the floods in Texas involves hundreds of rescuers from a wide range of states. This was announced by Ben Baker, State Park Ranger, who highlighted the collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies, in addition to the efforts of numerous volunteers. The search for missing persons continues, supported by this coordination, which seeks to cover the devastated areas as broadly and effectively as possible.
The flooding emergency in central Texas has garnered international support. Members of the Acuña Fire Department and the Mexican 911 Foundation arrived on Sunday to assist with the operations. Additionally, water rescue units from Mexico's Civil Protection have joined the effort.
The Mexican deployment was necessary due to the damage caused by heavy rains since Thursday, which caused the Guadalupe River to overflow its banks in the western part of the state and contributed to an official death toll of at least 109. The teams are working alongside local firefighters to search for missing people and recover bodies amid persistently hazardous conditions.
The National Weather Service (NWS) had issued an alert regarding the possibility of serious damage and extreme danger to human life.
The search brought one of its most poignant and tragic moments, after the bodies of Blair and Brooke Harber were found in Kerrville, about 15 miles from where they were last seen. They were found holding hands and carrying rosaries, a symbol of their bond and the faith that united the family. The girls' grandparents have not yet been found, and rescue teams continue their search in the area.
