The rescue services of Texas They were looking for 27 missing girls on Saturday because of the strong floods that devastate this state of southern USAwhich have left at least 27 dead.
Floods derived from torrential rains that Sand unleashed on Friday afternoon at the center of the state and that resumed during the night and in the early hours of Saturday, although with less intensity.
“So far we have recovered 27 people who died,” declared at a press conference the Sheriff of the County of Kerr, Larry Lethia.
He said that Among the deceased were 18 adults and nine minors and that some 860 people have been evacuated, including eight with wounds.
Of the approximately 750 girls attending a Christian summer camp on the banks of the Guadalupe River27 are missing, he declared on his side Dalton Ricemunicipal hierarch of the city of Kerrville.
“Today will be a difficult day” For the community, the mayor of the town warned, Joe Herringwith the voice broken by crying.
“We will not stop until everyone found it found”he insisted sheriff Lethiastating that he had “All necessary resources.”
On land, on the morning of this Saturday rescuers faced conditions “Very difficult.” “The area is full of rubble, with a very complex configuration along the banks of the river”Rice said.
The Secretary of National Security, Kristi calls, “It will arrive soon to the place”, The president said Donald Trump In his social truth network. “Melania and I pray for all the families affected by this horrible tragedy”he added.
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Rescue in progress
According to the authorities, the Guadalupe River He grew about eight meters in 45 minutes. According to the weather service, More than 300 millimeters of rain They fell during the night, which overflowed several rivers in the area.
“What normally falls in a year, fell in one day,” declared the AFP Gerardo Martínez61, owner of a restaurant located near a viewpoint on the river. “The water reached the treetops. Entire cars and houses were dragged” For floods, he said.
The governor of Texas, Greg Abbottannounced Friday night there were “Signed a disaster statement to ensure that local authorities have the necessary resources to continue responding to floods. ”
“Texas will do everything possible to ensure that all missing persons are found “, He wrote in his X account.
Simple Reynaresident of Kerville 55 years who work in a local church helping those who have lost their belongings, said that “I had never seen anything like that.”
Some 500 rescuers and 14 helicopters were deployed, while the National Guard and the Coast Guard of Texas They sent reinforcements.
Rice said the lifeguards face conditions “very difficult”.
“We start operations at 8 in the morning (13h00 GMT)”, Rice declared, and urged residents to refrain from launch rescue on your own.
Rescuers move in a “Land full of rubble and waste, in very difficult conditions, On the banks of the river”, described.
In mid -June, At least ten people died in San Antonio due to floods caused by floods.
Sudden floods, which occur when the ground is not able to Absorb torrential rains They are not unusual.
But the scientists They claim that in recent years the climate change caused by the to be human has made extreme climatic events such as floods, droughts and heat waves are more frequent and intense.