Texas, July 05 (V7N) — At least 24 people have lost their lives in devastating floods that swept through Kerville, Texas, while 25 children remain missing, authorities confirmed. The death toll is feared to rise as rescue operations continue.
The BBC reported on Saturday that torrential rains caused the Guadalupe River to surge by 26 feet (around 8 meters) in just 45 minutes, triggering sudden flooding that destroyed homes, blocked major roads, and swept away vehicles.
The state administration has declared the situation "life-threatening and extremely dangerous", urging residents to evacuate to higher ground. A state of emergency has been announced in affected areas.
At a press briefing, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said, "We are conducting a large-scale rescue operation in the flooded regions. The priority now is to find the missing 25 children who were attending a summer camp in the area."
Officials report significant damage to property and infrastructure. Emergency responders, including the National Guard, are involved in search, rescue, and relief efforts.
Meteorologists have warned of the possibility of further heavy rain, which could worsen the situation in the coming days.
END/RH/AJ
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