A number of fatalities confirmed in Texas Hill Nation flooding : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2323x1587+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc7%2Fae%2F572c9f46447b9e1fb9d8a72d0e3d%2Fap25185834658623.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2323x1587+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc7%2Fae%2F572c9f46447b9e1fb9d8a72d0e3d%2Fap25185834658623.jpg" class="img" alt="First responders scan the banks of the Guadalupe River for individuals swept away by flooding in Ingram, Texas, Friday, July 4, 2025." fetchpriority="high"/> First responders scan the banks of the Guadalupe River for people swept away by flooding in Ingram, Texas, Friday, July 4, 2025. Michel Fortier/AP/The San Antonio Specific-Information disguise caption

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Michel Fortier/AP/The San Antonio Specific-Information At the least 24 individuals are lifeless following excessive flooding that slammed Texas Hill Nation early Friday morning, in accordance with state officers.

At the least 20 ladies from a Christian summer time camp subsequent to the Guadalupe River stay lacking.

Officers mentioned a few of these campers could also be stranded and unable to name for assist.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott mentioned throughout a information convention Friday evening that the state is committing all the mandatory assets to proceed with a search and rescue mission.

The governor issued a catastrophe declaration for a number of counties within the state's space referred to as the Hill Nation, about 70 miles from San Antonio.

Gov. Abbott mentioned search and rescue missions will proceed "within the darkness of the evening…in search of for anyone who will not be accounted for."

He added: "It is a 24/7 effort."

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6720x4480+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F33%2F77%2F55bf7da844ee8ed54a4375628393%2Fap25185834851827.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6720x4480+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F33%2F77%2F55bf7da844ee8ed54a4375628393%2Fap25185834851827.jpg" class="img" alt="Damaged vehicles and debris are seen roped off near the banks of the Guadalupe River after flooding in Ingram, Texas, Friday, July 4, 2025." loading="lazy"/> Broken automobiles and particles are seen roped off close to the banks of the Guadalupe River after flooding in Ingram, Texas, Friday, July 4, 2025. Michel Fortier/AP/The San Antonio Specific-Information disguise caption

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Michel Fortier/AP/The San Antonio Specific-Information At an earlier briefing, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick mentioned greater than 500 responders and 14 helicopters have been deployed to seek out anybody who's trapped within the inundated space.

"Now we have deployed a lot of personnel to a number of areas all through the Texas Hill Nation to help with search and rescue efforts," Patrick mentioned, noting that the area is fashionable for summer time camps, together with one for lots of of ladies.

He mentioned state efforts' emphasis Friday is to find unaccounted youngsters.

"Inside 45 minutes, the Guadalupe River rose 26 toes and it was a harmful flood — taking property and sadly lives," Patrick mentioned. He added that the area received 12 inches or extra of rain per hour.

Patrick mentioned that communities within the affected areas are with out electrical energy or web protection.

The scenario should worsen. Sheriff Larry Leitha mentioned authorities consider the variety of fatalities may develop.

"That is most likely going to be a few days' course of," Leitha mentioned throughout a press convention.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2250+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd2%2Fa3%2F26321e06443db4d7eb28582ee082%2Fap25185843725367.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2250+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd2%2Fa3%2F26321e06443db4d7eb28582ee082%2Fap25185843725367.jpg" class="img" alt="First responders deploy boats along the Guadalupe River after deadly flooding on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas." loading="lazy"/> First responders deploy boats alongside the Guadalupe River after lethal flooding on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas. Christopher Lee/AP/The San Antonio Specific-Information disguise caption

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Christopher Lee/AP/The San Antonio Specific-Information On Friday, the Nationwide Climate Service issued a hazard climate warning. In an announcement, the NWS warned, "Flooding brought on by extreme rainfall continues to be doable." The company mentioned a further 1 to three inches of rain may fall throughout the area, however that "remoted spots within the Hill Nation may see as much as 5 inches."

The NWS defined the acute rainfall is being brought on by a moist tropical airmass mixed with a sluggish shifting storm system in counties throughout south central Texas.

Kerr County officers mentioned the Guadalupe River, which runs by way of the area, is at the moment cresting at 39 toes or extra — up from about 3 toes earlier than the rainfall.

Decide Rob Kelly signed a declaration of catastrophe, following the devastation to property and lack of life left behind by the extreme climate storm.

"Suffice it right this moment this has been a really devastating and lethal flood," Kelly mentioned throughout a Friday morning press convention.

Kelly's workplace mentioned damages shall be monumental to each public infrastructure and personal properties, with estimates unattainable to find out till floodwaters recede.