Photo of the floods, courtesy of Recent flash floods iced Kerr County, Texas by Texas A&M University Today. Tragically, this has led to 78 deaths total, including 28 child victims. “Flash Flood Alley” experienced severe thunderstorms with instant deluges of as much as 380mm of rain. Harvey’s catastrophic flooding and record rains brought communities across southeastern Texas to their knees. In addition, the ongoing search for the missing … In the meantime, the community has to deal with the long-term impacts of what state officials are dubbing a “100-year calamity.”
The periods of flooding hit without warning, affecting around 750 people who were at Camp Mystic when the floods rolled in. Over 850 people have been rescued from perilous situations, with some cases involving rescues from individuals who were found hanging in emergency trees. Eleven people from Camp Mystic are still missing, making the search, now expanded and covering more than 1,100 square miles, more serious and pressing.
Impact of the Floods
The Guadalupe River exceeded devastation beyond its banks, by flood waters topping tree canopy as well as the tops of cabins at Camp Mystic. According to local media, water levels on the inside of one cabin reached almost 2 meters off the ground. The unprecedented size of the disaster has moved local, state, and federal government officials to respond in a remarkable way.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who toured Camp Mystic after the fire, called the scene “nothing short of horrific.” He expressed his determination to locate those still missing, stating, “We won’t stop until we find every girl who was in those cabins.” Abbott’s comments underscore the immediate concern for the safety of individuals affected by the floods.
In response to the disaster, U.S. President Donald Trump declared a major disaster. This declaration triggered access to federal support to help supplement recovery efforts. The National Weather Service’s limitations, including six vacancies at the time of the floods, have raised questions about whether timely warnings could have mitigated some of the damage. Joaquin Castro remarked on the importance of personnel availability for effective weather predictions: “When you have flash flooding, there’s a risk that if you don’t have the personnel … to do that analysis, do the predictions in the best way, it could lead to tragedy.”
Community Response
Local residents and officials have quickly mobilized to help rescue victims of the flooding disaster. Additionally, thousands of volunteers have partnered with emergency responders carrying out water rescues, helping deliver food and supplies, and welcoming displaced families. The community quickly came together to provide refuge for the newly displaced residents. In tandem, they’re delivering critically needed assistance to people who’ve been ordered to flee.
Katharine Somerville, a local resident, shared her experience during the flood: “Our cabins at the tippity-top of hills were completely flooded with water.” Her account helps illustrate just how bad things have gotten. Families are losing everything they have ever owned and looking for shelter from the devastation that is taking over their lives.
Despite the challenges, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick emphasized that every effort was made to warn residents about potential flooding: “They’re busy working, so we’ll leave it at that.” As recovery efforts continue, community leaders remain focused on rebuilding and ensuring safety measures for future weather events.
Ongoing Search Efforts
Search teams are still aggressively sifting through the rubble of Camp Mystic and the area around it. They refuse to give up in their efforts to find those still missing. Next steps Law enforcement officials say they are committed to finding resolution for families who remain in limbo. Eleven people are still missing from just Camp Mystic.
Rescue operations have been complicated by the presence of a volatile security environment and harsh mountainous terrain. Emergency services have to date saved hundreds from shocking circumstances, overcoming serious danger with breathtaking courage and ingenuity as things appear to descend into mayhem.
What we do know though, is the emotional toll on families affected by this disaster is profound. As they steer through this unfortunate period, grief and solidarity for them pours in from the community. One resident reflected on the broader implications of such tragedies: “I wouldn’t blame Biden for it, either. I would just say this is a 100-year catastrophe.”
