Texas Hill Country Flooding: Search and Rescue Efforts After Deadly Guadalupe River Flood

Devastating Flooding in Texas Hill Country

• 💔 Officials have confirmed 43 deaths, including 15 children, following severe flooding along the Guadalupe River.
• ⚠️ The total number of missing people remains unknown, with 27 children from Camp Mystic reported missing.
• 🌊 Over 300 crews are actively engaged in search and rescue operations, having already rescued more than 850 people.

Impact on Kerrville and Louise Hayes Park

• 🏞️ Louise Hayes Park in Kerrville, normally a public space, was completely submerged, with a chunk of the ground missing due to the flood's power.
• 🌳 Debris found high in trees and on destroyed trees indicates the water reached heights of 34 feet in some areas.
• 🛠️ The extensive damage to the park and surrounding areas points to a long and challenging cleanup and recovery process.

Camp Laont Rescue and Survivor Stories

• 🏕️ Two young boys from Houston, Brock and Braden Davis, are safe at home after their experience at Camp Laont in Hunt, Texas.
• 💧 They woke up to flood waters rising inside their cabin, with one brother climbing into the rafters for safety before being rescued by camp leaders.
• ⏳ The boys spent 13 hours waiting for safety, huddling with other children as counselors provided reassurance and snacks.
• 🙏 The boys and their parents expressed immense gratitude for the counselors and the fortunate outcome, realizing how devastating the situation could have been.

Wider Disaster Declaration and Community Response

• 📢 Governor Abbott expanded the state disaster declaration to include more counties and signed a federal disaster declaration to unlock aid.
• ⚡ Power outages affecting around 3,000 customers have been nearly fully restored.
• 🤝 Neighbors in affected counties engaged in door-to-door efforts to help those in need during the crisis.