13 dead, 23 children missing in Texas flash floods13 dead

 

13 dead, 23 children missing in Texas flash floods

At least 13 people have been killed by flash flooding in the south-central part of the US state of Texas. In addition, about 23 girls who were in a summer camp are missing. Reuters reports.

The Guadalupe River flooded due to the monsoon rains. Local authorities said the summer camp was located near the river.

The U.S. Weather Service has issued a flood warning for parts of Carr County in the Texas Hill Country. About 65 miles (105 km) from downtown San Antonio. The rain was accompanied by strong wind and thunder in the northern districts.

Dalton Rice, the city manager of Carrville in Carr County, told reporters that the flash flooding occurred before dawn. They had no prior warning. The waters of the Guadalupe River quickly rose above the danger mark.

Rice added that the entire incident took place in less than two hours. The flood was so fast that it could not be detected even by radar.

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Carr County Sheriff Larry Leitha told reporters that 13 bodies had been recovered from the flooded area. The number of deaths could further go up.

Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick earlier told a news briefing that authorities were searching for 23 missing girls. There were more than 700 children in several summer camps along the Guadalupe River at the time of the flood at around 4 a.m. All other children in the camp are safe.

Patrick said the water in the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet (8 meters) in just 45 minutes due to heavy rain. Fourteen helicopters and 12 drones were involved in the rescue operation. Hundreds of rescuers are rescuing people trapped on trees and swept away by the strong currents of the river.