Deadly Texas Floods Sweep Away Dozens As Rescue Efforts Intensify — WATCH
Central Texas is reeling from catastrophic floods that struck with little warning, turning the weekend into a rescue operation. In a terrifying turn of events, floodwaters in parts of Texas surged so rapidly that the Guadalupe River rose by 26 feet in just 45 minutes, sweeping away homes, vehicles—and lives.
Rescue teams spent Saturday scouring debris-laden waters from 27 young girls missing after being swept away from a Christian summer camp in Kerr County, one of the worst-hit areas. Officials confirmed 50 deaths across several counties, a toll expected to rise.
Search And Rescue Operations Enter Critical Phase
As of Saturday, 27 girls remain unaccounted for, prompting one of the largest multi-agency rescue efforts in recent state history. Emergency responders, including air, land, and water teams, continue to comb the flooded areas for survivors.
Nim Kidd, Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, expressed both urgency and resolve, “We will continue the search until all those who are missing are found.”
But with each passing hour, hopes of finding more survivors grow fainter. The torrent was so powerful it swept away entire homes, with videos from locals showing bare concrete slabs where houses once stood.
Flood Warning Controversy Grows As More Rains Threaten Central Texas
Governor Greg Abbott has expanded the state disaster declaration and appealed to the federal government for additional support. The flooding has raised questions about the effectiveness of early warning systems, as many residents were caught off guard despite a “moderate” flood watch issued the previous day. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem criticised the National Weather Service, stating the advisory didn’t reflect the severity of the impending danger.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has forecast further rainfall, warning of additional flash flooding in rivers, creeks, and low-lying areas. The swollen Guadalupe, usually calm and inviting, is now a rushing force of destruction.
Climate Change: A Growing Concern
Flash floods aren’t new to Texas, but scientists are increasingly linking their frequency and intensity to climate change. Warmer air holds more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall and a higher risk of rapid flooding—especially in urban areas where soil absorption is poor. These dramatic scenes echo growing global concerns that human-driven climate change is turning seasonal rains into deadly events.
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