Why it matters:
This is one of the deadliest flooding disasters in recent U.S. history, with mounting scrutiny over early warning failures, infrastructure preparedness, and camp safety protocols, particularly involving children.
What they're saying:
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed that 59 bodies were found in his county alone, saying his team would search until “everybody is found.”Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a disaster in several counties and pledged full state support, noting that some survivors were found clinging to trees.Campers’ families and local officials are now demanding answers as to why girls remained at the camp despite severe weather warnings.
“That’s the question of the hour,” said City Manager Rice, referring to the lack of evacuation at Camp Mystic, which housed nearly 750 girls.
Key points:
- Families have confirmed the deaths of campers, including Lila Bonner and Sarah Marsh, an 8-year-old from Alabama.
- The Guadalupe River rose over 20 feet in two hours, reaching 29 feet, its second-highest level on record.
Go deeper:
Kerr County lies in Texas’s notorious “Flash Flood Alley”, where sudden rainstorms funnel water rapidly through hill valleys. Officials are facing public outrage over the lack of a flood alert system, especially given past deadly floods in the same region. Many are now asking why Camp Mystic , established in the 1920s, continued operations amid worsening conditions.
ahmad shirzadian
