Texas Flood Death Toll Rises to 120, 160 Missing
The devastating flood in Texas last weekend has killed over 120 people, including 36 children. Authorities estimate at least 160 are still missing. The bulk of the devastation occurred in Kerr County, where severe storms caused flash flooding along the Guadalupe River, about 65 miles northwest of San Antonio.
Camp Mystic, an all-girls’ Christian summer camp, became a focal point of the tragedy. 27 young girls and staff members were swept away to their deaths. “Bubble Inn,” the Camp Mystic building that housed the youngest of the campers, starting at 8 years old, was hit the worst. Most of its 15 campers and counselors were killed. More than one week later, many are still missing.
Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskin is credited with saving 169 people from the camp during a harrowing six-hour rescue operation involving helicopters and challenging weather conditions. It was his first mission. As to the survivors, one hung onto a tree all night long. Another floated on a mattress for hours. Still another floated twenty miles downstream before catching a tree limb.
More than 1,700 emergency responders used helicopters, drones, boats, and even arrived on horseback to search for survivors. Over 850 people have been rescued so far. President Trump granted Governor Greg Abbott's request for a federal disaster declaration and visited the affected areas with First Lady Melania Trump on Friday. "I've never seen anything like it," he said. "A little narrow river that becomes a monster.”
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