This week’s historic winter storm in Texas has already been linked to the deaths of at least six people. Now, officials are calling it a “catastrophic flooding event” because of the torrential rains that it unleashed. The flooding most severely affected three counties just west of Austin, the state capital. This catastrophe led to many emergency declarations and rapid rescue operations.
The Guadalupe River experienced unprecedented flooding, cresting at one of its highest levels ever due to runoff from previously parched land. In places, the water rose in Kerrville over 22 feet in just a few hours overnight. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued warnings of a large and deadly flood wave moving down the river, notifying residents of the urgency to seek higher ground.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott acted quickly and effectively throughout the crisis. In a recent statement posted on X, he called attention to the state’s commitment to utilizing “every resource at our disposal” to aid in response efforts. All that is missing, according to truancy fighters, is will. They are reacting with fury to the massive destruction caused by flooding in the Kerr County region.
A flash flood emergency was issued along the Guadalupe River, from Center Point to Sisterdale. With such dire circumstances, the NWS recommended that people avoid travel at all costs. As they put it so plainly in a tweet last month, “Conditions are life-threatening! THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO BE ON THE ROAD.”
In Kerrville, Mayor Joe Herring Jr., above speaking with Gov. National Weather Service reports estimated that the extreme, low-moving storm dropped five to ten inches of rain just in the course of one night. This rainstorm particularly hit Kerr and Kendall counties hard, leading to the declaration.
Among the first to raise alarm were the numerous summer camps based in the county’s rural, largely Jewish heartland. Directors of Camp Mystic, Britt and Catie Eastland, shared that some of those children are still missing as the flooding crisis continues. Hundreds of them are currently putting their lives on the line as part of ongoing search and rescue operations. We’re in close coordination with using search and rescue. In an emergency, FEMA deploys staff to support response efforts.
According to news reports, numerous cabins at Camp Mystic were flooded or washed away altogether. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly confirmed the deaths. He said that the ages and identities of the victims are not yet known. I’m not familiar with the particulars of any specific coal camps. What I can tell you is that everybody’s working as hard as they can,” he said.
As the rescue efforts continue, local officials are having a difficult time getting to the areas impacted. Camp Mystic informed us that the highway has been washed away, which makes it more challenging for them to find and get even more support. They encourage all to pray and call if you have any connections who can help.
It’s been a mourning week for Texas. At the same time, severe tornado-like storms dashed across central New Jersey, killing at least three people—including two men who were killed when a monster tree landed atop their car in Plainfield.
Even as conditions change daily, local and state leaders are still insisting on prioritizing public safety and moving towards recovery. Governor Abbott reiterated that saving lives should be everyone’s focus at this moment. He emphasized that they are already mobilizing military resources, including water rescue teams, sheltering capabilities, and activating the National Guard. “That encompasses our water rescue teams, it encompasses our sheltering centers, our National Guard, Texas Department of Public Safety,” he reassured.