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From Washington Examiner: The search for those swept into deadly floods in central Texas continued Sunday as the death toll climbed to 67.
At least 59 people, including 21 children, died in Kerr County, Texas, after the area saw nearly a foot of rain Friday. Eleven children and a counselor at an all-girls Christian summer camp, Camp Mystic, located along the Guadalupe River, remain missing, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said.
Additional deaths were also reported in Burnet, Kendall, and Travis counties.
“The work continues, and will continue, until everyone is found,” Leitha said.
Questions swirl as the search continues, with some expressing frustration with the early warning system and its effectiveness.
According to reports, a Flood Watch was in effect for parts of New Mexico and western Texas starting on Thursday afternoon as slow-moving thunderstorms brought heavy rain to the area.
By Thursday evening, parts of western Texas received five inches of rain.
Hours later, at around 1:14 a.m. on Friday, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Kerr County, where the Guadalupe River is located.
Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring told reporters that the river rose 26 feet in 45 minutes that morning. By about 3 a.m., floodwaters rose rapidly
Camp Mystic, located right beside the Guadalupe River, was quickly flooded.
“This came at night when people were asleep in bed,” Herring said.
On Sunday morning, President Trump signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott visited Camp Mystic on Sunday, calling the scene “horrendously ravaged” in a social media post.
“Today I visited Camp Mystic. It, and the river running beside it, were horrendously ravaged in ways unlike I’ve seen in any natural disaster,” Abbott wrote. “The height the rushing water reached to the top of cabins was shocking. We won’t stop until we find every girl who was in those cabins.”
The Houston Chronicle shared the story of a “longtime camper and now program director” who posted “an emotional tribute about Camp Mystic, her ‘little slice of heaven,'” on Instagram.
Elizabeth Sweet’s Instagram post said: “For the past 12 years Mystic has been my home for the month of July. It is truly the most magical place filled with laughter and love. I have had some of my most favorite memories there and have made friendships that will last a lifetime. This place made me who I am today and is a huge part of my life.It is little slice of heaven where Gods presence is so evident through the rolling hills, the beautiful sunsets, the shining stars at night, the beautiful campers, selfless counselors, and incredible staff.
“Words cannot express how shattered my heart is over the events of July 4th. This year I served as the Program Director and at 3:11 am was woken up to help evacuate campers from their cabins.
“By 4 am I was on a roof with the water right up to me. The water rose over 20 feet within an hour. This truly was a catastrophic natural disaster flood that is a once in a lifetime thing. The counselors were heroes and saved so many lives putting their campers before their own. My heart goes out to the families with daughters that are unaccounted for as well as the Eastland Family. The Mystic Community is one that is strong. We Mystic girls constantly have each others backs and stick together through thick and thin. We are strong and will get through this tragedy together.
“While yesterday was the hardest day of my life and it will take a while to recover I know that I have my Mystic sisters to hold me up when I am down. We truly are better people for being there, we let Mystic bring out the best in us, and we grew spiritually. Yesterday I left a camp that was demolished and destroyed but that is not the place I will remember for years to come.
“I will remember the place where we laughed on our way to our activities, sang as loud as we could in the dining hall, and cheered our hearts out for our respective tribes. Goodnight, Camp Mystic. I love you. 💚
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.”
Isaiah 43:2
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10
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