DONALD Trump has signed a disaster declaration in response to the “unimaginable tragedy” in Texas as officials say at least 82 people have died.
Rescuers are still searching for 10 children and one counselor from Camp Mystic, after at least 82 people – including 28 children – were killed in flash floods.
Searchers have found the bodies of 68 people, including 28 children, in Kerr County – home to Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp – Sheriff Larry Leitha said in the afternoon.
He pledged to keep searching until everybody is found from Friday’s flash floods.
10 other deaths have been reported in Travis, Burnet, Kendall, Tom Green and Williamson counties, officials said.
Rescuers are now scouring the devastated landscape as they search for the missing – including 10 girls and a counsellor from the camp.
A total of 41 people are confirmed missing across the state, according to Governor Greg Abbott, who warned that the number could still rise.
Donald Trump announced he signed a Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County to help search efforts.
Taking to Truth Social, the US president said the declaration will “ensure that our Brave First Responders immediately have the resources they need”.
“These families are enduring an unimaginable tragedy, with many lives lost, and many still missing,” he added, noting that the administration is working closely with state and local officials.
Heartbreaking photos from the wrecked site show sodden mattresses and teddies strewn across dormitories.
Meanwhile, outside, trucks and heavy machinery were swept away -evidence of the floods’ deadly force.
Teams working tirelessly in harsh conditions to find victims have witnessed the atrocities first-hand, with dozens of bodies discovered.
Officials said more than 850 people had been rescued in the last 36 hours.
Bobby Templeton, superintendent of Ingram Independent School District, said: “We still have people coming here looking for their loved ones. We’ve had a little success, but not much.”
Worst-hit was Kerr County, particularly areas around the Guadeloupe River where waters rose by 26ft in 45 minutes following a freak dump of rainfall.
The danger was not over as rains continued pounding communities outside San Antonio on Saturday and flash flood warnings and watches remained in effect.
About a third of a year’s worth of rain fell in a few short hours, completely overwhelming the waterways and creating an “extraordinary catastrophe”.
Dalton Rice, Kerville city manager, said on Saturday: “We’ve been rescuing people out of these camps by the hundreds. There’s a lot of folks that are shelter in place, so we leave them in place to make sure that we get them food, water.”
Multiple people lost their lives in other counties, bringing the current confirmed death toll to 59 – though this is sadly expected to rise.
The parents of all the missing children have been notified – and many turned to social media to share desperate pleas for information about their girls.
Local reports suggest that up to six girls have been confirmed dead, citing their families.
Janie Hunt, 9, was among the dead, her distraught mother told CNN.
A relative of nine-year-old Renee Smajstrla revealed on Facebook that the girls’s body had been found.
Shawna Salta wrote: “We are thankful she was with her friends and having the time of her life, as evidenced by this picture from yesterday.”
Lila Bonner’s family also released a statement confirming her death.
They wrote: “In the midst of our unimaginable grief, we ask for privacy and are unable to confirm any details at this time.
“We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly.”
Lila shared a cabin with her best friend Eloise Peck, 8, who also lost her life.
Her mom, Missy Peck, told Fox4: “Eloise was literally friends with everyone. She loved spaghetti but not more than she loved dogs and animals.
“She passed away with her cabinmate and best friend Lila Bonner who also died.
“Eloise had a family who loved her fiercely for the 8 years she was with us. Especially her Mommy.”
Sarah Marsh, from Mountain Brook, Alabama, has also been confirmed dead.
Stewart Welch, the Mayor of Mountain Brook, wrote on social media: “This is an unimaginable loss for her family, her school and our entire community,”
He added: “Sarah’s passing is a sorrow shared by all of us, and our hearts are with those who knew her and loved her.”
Camp Mystic’s owner and director Dick Eastland is amongst those confirmed to have died.
Source: https://www.the-sun.com/news/14637855/texas-flood-death-toll-climbs-children-camp-mystic/
