Texas [US], July 6 (ANI): Catastrophic flash floods triggered by torrential rains in central Texas have killed more than 50 people, with dozens more missing as rescue operations continue, CNN reported Saturday.
In response to the disaster, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem pledged swift action to save lives, while Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared Sunday a Day of Prayer for the affected communities.
Authorities said some areas received a month’s worth of rain in just a few hours overnight into Friday, causing rivers to rise dramatically. In Kerr County, more than 20 girls remain missing from Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp, after the river near the camp surged more than 20 feet in less than two hours. Hundreds of residents have already been rescued or evacuated across the county, many by helicopter.
Late Saturday night, Noem posted on X that the U.S. Coast Guard had already “saved or assisted” 223 people. In a video message, she said, “The number one priority right now is people—making sure we are finding them as fast as possible and returning them to their families. Throughout the process, we will assess the damage to public infrastructure.”
Noem added in her post, “Our hearts are with those impacted by the Central Texas floods. I thank Gov. Abbott, state officials, and the U.S. Coast Guard for their swift, heroic response.” She also confirmed that President Trump had committed federal resources to support search, rescue, and recovery efforts. “DHS remains fully engaged, and I am in constant contact with the President—working around the clock and providing him with real-time updates. God bless Texas,” she wrote.
Governor Abbott also shared a message on X, highlighting the resilience of Texans and pledging to continue rescue efforts until every missing person is found. He formally declared Sunday, July 6, a Day of Prayer in Texas, writing, “I invite Texans to join me in prayer for the communities affected by this disaster.”
On Saturday, Abbott signed an expanded disaster declaration to include Travis County, about 130 miles northeast of hard-hit Kerr County. The Trump administration said it would honor the federal disaster declaration to expedite relief to Texas, CNN reported.
Rescue and recovery operations remain ongoing as authorities race to locate the missing and assess the full scope of the damage. (ANI)
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