Texas [US], July 5: The US National Weather Service (NWS) has declared a flash flood emergency for parts of Kerr County, central Texas , after torrential rains, AP reported.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said 13 people were killed after up to 10 inches (250 mm) of rain fell early on Saturday, triggering flash flooding in the Guadalupe River area. The sudden heavy rains overnight made it impossible to issue evacuation orders in some areas, Leitha said, adding that the death toll was expected to rise.
The NWS issued a flood warning on July 3, while a flash flood warning for Kerr County was issued at 1 a.m. local time on July 4, then upgraded to a severe warning at 4 a.m.
Rescuers have also been deployed to search for the missing, including 23 girls who went missing while attending a summer camp near the Guadalupe River, according to Reuters.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in 45 minutes as heavy rains flooded the area. The NWS also warned that the Llano River in Mason County, which borders Kerr, could become a life-threatening situation as floodwaters rise.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the state has made resources available to support communities in the Hill Country, Kerrville, Ingram and Hunt areas affected by heavy rain and flash flooding.
Mr. Dan Patrick said that US President Donald Trump has contacted Texas state officials, saying that the White House ensures that Texas will receive the necessary support resources.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
