The governor of the state of Texas, Greg Abbott, reported on Tuesday that 170 people are still missing due to the floods in Texas and that the death toll has risen to 111. Most of the victims and missing persons are from Kerr County, located north of San Antonio.
The heavy rains caused a sudden rise in the Guadalupe River, which rose more than eight meters in just 45 minutes last Friday, July 4th. The water swept away entire communities and caught hundreds of families by surprise who did not receive timely alerts.
Which is the most affected area in Texas?
“Only in Kerr County there are 161 missing persons. And, once again, this is the result of the joint efforts of law enforcement. Know this: we will not stop until we find all the missing persons,” declared the governor in a press conference.
Among the victims are 27 girls and staff members of Camp Mystic, a summer camp located next to the Guadalupe River.
Abbott indicated that he spoke with President Trump, who, according to the governor, “could not stop expressing his sadness for all the girls who have lost their lives.”
According to The New York Times, Donald Trump announced that he will visit the disaster area on Friday.
On the other hand, the Secretary of Health, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, declared a public health emergency for Texas “in order to ensure immediate access to essential healthcare resources for those affected by the catastrophic floods,” as he posted on his X social media profile.
“I have had regular conversations with Governor Abbott. My heart is with every Texan affected by this devastating tragedy. To those who have lost loved ones and to the communities facing unimaginable losses and destruction: you are not alone. We are committed to providing all available resources to help you recover and heal,” Kennedy said.