Texas river flood kills 13 with 23 swept away from girls' summer camp as faces of missing emerge: Live
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By NATASHA ANDERSON and WILL POTTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
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At least 13 people have been killed and hundreds more are feared missing after historic floods inundated a Texas county.
Twenty three people are missing from Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, after the Guadalupe River flooded and surged by up to 30 feet above its usual water leve Friday.
The names of those killed have not been shared, but the final death toll is expected to rise substantially as floodwaters recede.
And the identities of the missing have begun to emerge as stricken families share photos of their loved ones in the hopes of learning information about their whereabouts.
Officials have stressed they hope to rescue many of the missing and say they're still hopeful of finding most of those missing safe and well.
But the sheer scale of destruction - with buildings ripped from their foundations and cars swept away like toys - suggests that may be an overly optimistic prediction.
Four young girls, four teenage friends and three generations of same family among missing as death toll hits 13
Four little girls vanished from their summer camp after it was inundated by historic floods in Texas.
Renee Smajstrla, Eloise Peck, Lila Bonner and Lainey Landry are all missing from Camp Mystic in Hunt following Friday's floods.
That saw the local Guadalupe River surge by up to 30 feet after 10 inches of rain fell in an hour, with 13 so far confirmed dead.
The missing girls' ones shared photos of the girls in the hopes of finding out information about their whereabouts.
A total of 23 are missing from Camp Mystic, although local officials say they hope they'll be able to find many of those who vanished safe and sound.
Renee was said to have been staying at part of the camp called Camp Bubble.
Six people have so far been confirmed dead, but none of their identities have been shared.
Camp Mystic, a Christian camp, was photographed being evacuated as a year's worth of rain fell in an hour.
But not everyone made it out in time.
Around twenty summer camps line the banks of the Guadalupe River in Kerr County and it is feared other youngsters and counselors may have been swept away by the sudden surge of filthy brown water.
Other heartbreaking human tragedies have begun to emerge as the floodwaters recede, with three young high school graduates and a friend also missing.
Ella Cahill, Aidan Heartfield and Joyce Badon are recent graduates of Kelly High School who were staying at a house along the river bank for the July 4 weekend.
Their friend Reese Manchaca who was with them is also missing.
Ella's sister posted on Facebook: 'PLEASE HELP. My little sister, her boyfriend, and their two friends are missing due to flood. Last we heard from them was at 4am. They were trying to escape home to get to higher ground.'
Three generations of the same Texas family are also missing in the floodwaters.
Deeann and Gary Knetch, their daughter Megan Moeller, her husband Jake Moeller and the couple's young daughter Harley were all staying in an RV at HTR Tx Hill Country Campground in Kerville.
News of their disappearance comes after it was reported that an entire RV park whose vehicles were filled with young families was swept away.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has activated the state's National Guard to help with recovery efforts.
Further updates on the disaster are expected imminently.
President Trump vows to provide 'whatever is needed' for Texas recovery efforts
President Trymp has vowed to provide emergency federal help to Kerry County, Texas after the devastating flash floods.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said the White House has contacted local officials several times on Friday.
Patrick said that the president insisted that 'whatever we need, we will have.'
Missing Texas girl identified as KellyAnne Lytal, as searches continue
One of the two dozen girls missing from a summer camp in Kerr County, Texas has been identified as KellyAnne Lytal.
Her family identified her to NBCDFW, urging anyone that has any information to urgently contact 713-628-3049.
She is reportedly among at least 20 girls who are missing after flash flooding washed out a girls' summer camp at Camp Mystic in Kerrville.
Texas Lt. Gov. addresses panicked families: 'We will do everything to find your daughter'
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick addressed panicked families of missing girls from a summer camp that was washed away by flash floods in Kerr County.
Patrick said over 500 people were deployed in searches, and vowed to do 'everything humanly possible to find your daughter.'
'I want all of you to know we will do everything humanly possible,' he said.
'Twenty-four-seven, looking at every tree, turning over every rock, whatever it takes - if your child is one of those truly missing and not just out of touch - to find your daughter.'
Officials say searches are in their early stages as dozens remain missing
At least two dozen people remain unaccounted for from a girls' summer camp at Camp Mystic in Kerr County, with officials saying their searches are still in their early stages.
'We are still actively trying to find those that are out and those that are needing assistance,' Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said late Friday.
Rice said first responders are remaining focused on rescuing residents from the area before they begin recovery efforts.
'As we are going through the camps, we’re still trying to figure out where people are, what’s going on, and how to best serve them,' he added.
Army Corps of Engineers to assess vital dam amid fears it could break
The US Army Corps of Engineers are being deployed to a vital dam over the Canyon Lake amid fears that it could break.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Friday that the Corps were being sent to the dam to assess its safety, but officials believe that it will hold at this time.
Patrick said more torrential rainfall has raised the threat of further flash flooding.
The Canyon Lake Dam is just to the north of San Antonio, with severe flooding devastating the city throughout the day.
At least 13 dead in devastating Texas flooding
At least 13 people died in Kerr County, Texas, after catastrophic flooding inundated the area on Friday.
'There’s still several people unaccounted for right now, at this point, but we’re working really hard,' Kerr County Sherrif Larry L. Leitha said in a news conference.
'And we’re going to continue. This is probably going to be a couple of day process,' he confirmed.
Texas officials have been contacted by President Trump
Texas Division of Emergency Management officials said that they had recieved 'multiple' calls from the White House today.
They confirmed President Trump reassured that 'whatever we need, will we have,' including sending in officials to ensure nearby dams will hold.
Texas Division of Emergency Management officials warn residents to stay home
Texas Division of Emergency Management officials said warned against residents leaving home to help with disaster relief efforts as officials have a 'very coordinated response' in effect. 'Stay away from the area...stay home.'
'We do not need any more drones or personal helicopters. I know it’s been offered. We do not need more additional assets,' Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said during a news conference Friday.
It was confirmed that at least 85 Texas locations have been impacted by high water, with 25 roads shut down. More rain and flash flooding are expected to happen overnight.
Texas congressman praises first responders amid flash floods
Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX) has praised the first responders who rushed into action after catastrophic floods erupted in Texas overnight.
He said he was praying for all the volunteers in the region.
He also thanked Gov. Greg Abbott, President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for their efforts in aiding the situation.
Breaking:Flash flood emergency extended again
A flash flood warning for much of Kerr County has been extended again after the region was hit with between six and 12 inches of rain.
Additional rainfall amounts up to one inch are possible, the weather service warned.
The flood emergency has been extended until at least 5pm today (6pm EST).
A warning for heavily affected towns of Kerrville, Ingram and Center Point has also been extended for at least two more hours.
Blackhawk choppers deployed to flood region
Emergency resources are being deployed to areas impacted by the deadly Guadalupe River floods.
Blackhawk helicopters from the Texas National Guard and other high-profile vehicles are being sent to the area to help residents in need.
Swiftwater resuce boat squads, as well as teams from the Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Public Safety, have also been deployed to the area.
What areas are impacted by the deadly Guadalupe River floods?
Texas Hill Country was beset by death and disaster Friday after multiple fatalities were reported from months worth of heavy rain that fell in a matter of hours.
As much as 10 inches of heavy rain poured down in just a few hours overnight in central Kerr County, causing flash flooding of the Guadalupe River.
Among the most heavily impacted areas is the town of Kerrville, roughly 65 miles from San Antonio.
The City of Kerrville issued a disaster declaration amid the catastrophic flooding.
Teams conducted dozens of rescues, and the emergency response continued as an unknown number of people remained unaccounted for.
Communities along the Guadalupe River were forced to evacaute as people with children and relatives at area summer camps pleaded for information about their loved ones endangered by the flooding.
Flash flood warnings issued across Texas
A flash flood emergency advisory has been issued for the Llano River in Mason County, about 120 miles north of San Antonio, Texas.
The Llano River had risen very rapidly and the weather service warned those living near the river of 'a life threatening situation!', the National Weather Service said.
The San Saba River crossing in Mason County was also on the rise today.
There is an ongoing threat for possible flash flooding from San Antonio to Waco for the next 24 to 48 hours, Lt. Gov Dan Patrick revealed in a post on X.
This is in addition to the 'continued risks in west and central Texas'.
Patrick said he was coordinating with the state's emergency response team on the flooding.
Pictured: The San Saba River crossing in Mason County today
Vehicle filled with passengers is swept away by raging river
This is the moment a vehicle was swept away by flash flooding in Kerville, Texas this morning.
The vehicle, which appeared to either a van or a cross-over SUV, had multiple people inside, according to bystanders who captured video of the terrifying scene.
'There's so many people in it,' one witness is heard saying, while another yells at the passengers: 'Get out of your car!'
The Guadalupe River rapidly rose by more than 22-feet overnight, broke its banks and overtook several small, rural towns across Kerr County - including Kerrville.
A disaster declaration remains in effect in the city.
A flood gauge marks the height of water flowing over a farm-to-market road near Kerrville, Texas
Flash flood sweeps 'summer camp cabin' filled with people
A property was carried down the Guadalupe River with terrified people inside as flash floods rushed through Kerr County overnight.
Occupants inside the home, which some suspect was a summer camp cabin, were heard screaming out in peril as the property was swept away by rushing water.
'Oh my god!' the frightened occupants yelled as several shone their flashlights into the moving water somewhere between the towns of Kerrville and Comfort.
Some locals believe the property was a cabin from Camp La Junta, though Daily Mail has not yet independently confirmed those reports.
Camp La Junta, in a Facebook post Friday afternoon, confirmed that all campers and staff are 'safe and accounted for'.
Other summer camps have not been so fortunate. The nearby Camp Mystic for girls confirmed that at least some of its campers were unaccounted for on Friday afternoon.
What caused the devastating Guadalupe River flooding?
As much as 10 inches of heavy rain fell in just a few hours overnight in central Kerr County, causing flash flooding of the Guadalupe River.
National Weather Service meteorologist Jason Runyan says the flooding came after the heavy rainfall drained into the Guadalupe River Basin.
The chaos began by the head waters near Hunt, a town in western Kerr County, and then travelled downstream towards Kerrville,
The river crested in Kerrville, a town home to less than 25,000 people, and then continued downstream towards Comfort, Texas.
The region was hit with nearly one-third of the amount of rain it typically receives in a year in just one night, the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network reports.
The river continued to rapidly rise early Friday morning, with data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration revealing the water level skyrocketed 26 feet in just one hour.
The Guadalupe River's height - recorded near Comfort, Texas - was around 3 feet at 8am Friday morning, but rapidly rose to a height of 29.86 feet by 9am, an average increase of 12 inches every one to two minutes.
The Guadalupe's river gauge at the unincorporated community of Hunt, where the river forks, recorded a 22 foot rise in just about two hours, according to Bob Fogarty, meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Austin/San Antonio office.
Fogarty said the gauge failed after recording a level of 29.5 feet.
The Texas Hill Country, a scenic and rocky gateway to booming vineyards and vacation rentals, begins west of the state capital and is a popular outdoor summer getaway.
Parts of the region are prone to flash flooding.
Breaking:Flash flood emergency extended
The National Weather Service has extended the flash flood emergency for the region along the Guadalupe River until at least 3pm (4pm EST) today.
The NWS first declared a flash flood emergency for all of Kerr County, roughly 90 miles outside of San Antonio, early this morning after nearly 10 inches of rain fell overnight.
The warning has been extended repeatedly thoughout the day with authorities warnign of 'dangerous' and potentially 'life-threatening' floods.
Residents are urged to 'seek higher ground immediately'.
RV park community swept away by Guadalupe River 'flood wave'
An entire RV park in Ingram, Texas was swept downstream by the floods overnight while families were still inside their homes.
The riverfront communities include several camps, wildlife habitats and campgrounds.
Texas Game Wardens, part of the state parks and wildlife agency, said on Facebook that search and rescue teams are conducting rescues throughout the region and sending more boats to help.
Footage captured by KEYE-TV Meteorologist Avery Tomasco shows how the area where the 'large RV park' once stood has become completely engulfed by water.
It is unclear any of the residents were injured or killed in the incident.
All-girls summer camp evacuated overnight amid heavy flooding
An all-girls summer camp situated along the Guadalupe River was evacuated overnight after heavy rainfall caused flash floods.
Summer campers were seen wading through high waters at Camp Mystic, located west of Kerrville, in the middle of the night.
Some campers appear to be missing, with KSAT reporting that an email was sent to 'parents of campers who have not been accounted for'.
The memo further noted that all campers at Cypress Lake and Senior Hill were accounted for.
It is currently unclear if any rescue missions for campers or staff are underway at Camp Mystic. Dozens of water rescues are taking place across Kerr County today.
One victim of floods was found NAKED
Kerr County's top lawmaker Judge Rob Kelly revealed one of the six people so-far confirmed dead in the Guadalupe River floods was totally naked.
He said officials were having to fingerprint bodies to try and confirm identities.
Kelly added: 'One of them was completely naked. They didn't have any ID on them.'
Guadalupe River rises to second-highest height on record
The Guadalupe River rose to its second-highest height on record today at a height of 34 feet, the National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed early Friday morning.
The river's highest height was 36 feet, recorded during a major flood in 1987 when nearly 12 inches of rain fell in the town of Hunt.
The historic flood triggered a 'wave' downstream and killed 10 teenagers. The wave - which moved through nearby Ingram, Kerrville and Comfort - left 33 others injured.
Meteorologists with KEYE believe the record has already been surpassed today, but note the river's flood gauge is no longer reporting.
City of Kerrville issues 'disaster declaration'
Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr has issued a disaster declaration after severe flooding overnight resulted in widespread damage, injury and loss of life.
'Damages will be monumental to both public infrastructure and private properties, with estimates impossible to determine until floodwaters recede,' the declaration warns.
'Emergency crews are very active across the county responding to calls and rescues.'
Texas governor deploying rescuers, National Guardsman to Kerr County
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed the state is 'surging all available resources' to help with the emergency flash flooding in Kerr County.
The state is sending water rescue teams, Department of Public Safety officials and members of the National Guard to the area.
'The immediate priority is saving lives,' he added.
Family-of-four missing after home swept away by flash flooding
A Kerrville man, his wife and their two children are missing after floods rushed through their neighborhood overnight, WOAI-TV reports.
The area where the family's home once stood is now a vacant lot, with officials suspecting the property was swept away by the storm.
The missing father's brother visited the vacant lot where the family's home once stood early Friday morning.
Pictured: A concerned man stands at the vacant lot where his brother's Kerrville home once stood
Top county lawmaker RAGES over probe about safety of local children
Kerr County's top lawmaker raged at reporters during a Friday afternoon press conference when probed about the safety of the community's children.
A journalist asked Judge Rob Kelly why the local summer camps were not evacuated after the Texas Department of Emergency Management warned of a 'problem' yesterday.
'I can't answer that. I don't know,' Kelly replied.
But the reporter pushed back: 'Well, you're the judge, you're the top official here in this county, why can't you answer that? There are kids missing. We knew these camps were in harms way. We knew this flood was coming.'
Kelly, apparently outraged by the line of questioning, dismissed the reporter, saying: 'We didn't know this flood was coming.
'We didn't know this kind of flood was coming. We have floods all the time. This is the most dangerous river valley in the United States.
'We had no reason to believe that this was going to be anything like whats happened here, none whatsoever.'
Guadalupe River flooding may have swept away dozens of children's summer CAMPS
Friday's floods in Kerrsville, Texas, likely washed away dozens of scouts and summer camps along the banks of the Guadalupe River.
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly - the area's top public official - conceded there were 'alot of camps' along the flood plain, which saw the river surge by 22 feet.
Frantic parents are now trying to find out what happened to their children. At least six are confirmed dead but it's feared that death toll will rocket - and that many of the victims will be youngsters enjoying a summer adventure with their friends.
During a tense press conference Friday, Kelly was asked by a reporter what advice he'd give to any parent desperate to find out of a child who was at camp was okay.
'Call the camps,' Kelly snapped.
There are currently widespread power outages across the region, making calls on land lines or mobile phones difficult.
'We have a lot of camps. I don't know any specifics about any of the individual camps, but what I do know is everyone is doing their very best trying to identify as much as they can,' Kelly said during a press conference today.
There are dozens of summer camps in Kerr County. It is unclear which ones are directly impacted by the flooding.
Pictured: The flooded Guadalupe River in central Texas this morning
At least six dead in 'catastrophic' flooding, Kerr County's top lawmaker confirms
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly confirmed there have been multiple fatalities in the deadly Texas floods.
The judge, during a press conference around 12pm (1pm EST), shared how some the victims were having to be fingerprinted at a local funeral home so they can be identified.
He noted that one of the victims was completely naked when their body was discovered.
The judge did not identify any of the deceased and declined to confirm the specific number of deaths.
Authorities are expected to provide an updated death toll around 3pm today local time (4pm EST).
Earlier today, Kelly told KVUE and Austin Statesman reporter Tony Plohetski that at least six deaths had been recorded across Kerr County.
Pictured: A home in Hunt that was completely destroyed by flash flooding overnight
Pictured: Road closures have been reported across Kerrville, where the local streets are flooded and low water crossings now completely impassable
