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'Today will be a hard day': 43 confirmed dead, search efforts intensify after deadly Hill Country floods
At least 15 children are among the bodies recovered so far, according to county officials responding to the natural disaster.
KERR COUNTY, Texas — Rescue and recovery efforts have entered a second day after devastating and deadly floods hit Kerr County and other parts of the Hill Country on the July Fourth holiday.
Kerr County officials said at a news conference Saturday morning that at least 32 people have been killed as a result of the massive flooding. Officials said of those 43 bodies found, 28 are adults and 15 of them are children. Six of the adults were unidentified and one child was unidentified as of 9 a.m. They are unable to release any further information on the deceased.
Early Friday morning, between the hours of 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., the Guadalupe River rose more than 26 feet from an intense and slow-moving storm in the Hill Country. The rapid rise of a wall of water hit dozens of summer camps, campgrounds, RV parks, and homes along the Guadalupe River. Officials said more than 850 people were rescued from the flooding, with many grabbing on to trees and waiting hours for rescue.
One of those summer camps, Camp Mystic, had more than 750 campers in residence over the Fourth of July holiday. As of Friday night, camp officials said there were more than 20 kids missing from the camp. At least a few of the bodies found were confirmed to be Camp Mystic campers. During the news conference, City Manager Dalton Rice said that 27 Camp Mystic girls are still missing.
Kerr County and Kerrville officials say they are working closely with state and federal officials for assistance in the search and rescue operations.
“People need to know today will be a hard day,” Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. said during the news conference. “Please pray for our community.”
The mayor says if you want to help the easiest way is to follow the City of Kerrville’s Facebook page.
“We will not stop until every single person is found,” Kerr County Sheriff Larry L. Leitha said. “It’s going to take a while.”
Search and rescue operations are continuously ongoing.
The next news conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday.