Washington DC, July 4 (EFE).- At least 13 people died and several others remained missing on Friday due to floods from heavy rains along the Guadalupe River in the state of Texas, in the United States.
Larry Leitha Jr., the sheriff of Kerr County – severely affected by the floods -, told the media that 13 bodies had been found and that the death toll could rise further.
Among the scores of those reported missing, there were at least 20 girls taking part in a Christian women’s summer camp.
Camp directors requested emergency aerial assistance from the authorities as the river waters rose, and reported that there were about 20 girls that went missing. Moreover, some of the camp’s huts were flooded and possibly swept away by the current.
Texas Acting Governor Dan Patrick said at the press conference that the emergency services and other agencies had deployed 14 helicopters, 12 drones and 9 rescue teams – comprising 400 to 500 people in total – to assist in search and rescue operations.
The rains began early Friday and continued throughout the day, especially affecting Kerr county, where several areas have been severely affected.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued flash flood alerts in several counties around nearby San Antonio, including Kerr and Gillespie, and recommended avoiding vehicle commuting and driving in flooded areas.
Stretches of the Guadalupe River, which runs through the region, have quadrupled their flow in a few hours, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. EFE
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