At least one person died in flooding across central Texas – the same area that saw more than 130 deaths in flash floods last summer.
“Large and deadly” flooding from the Guadalupe River is expected to ravage the region, following days of torrential rain, the National Weather Service in San Antonio reported. Last year’s flash floods originated from the same river.
Early Thursday morning, emergency officials were encouraging residents in the area to evacuate.
More than 130 people died in last summer’s floods, including 25 children and two counsellors at Camp Mystic, an all-girls camp near Kerrville, Texas, located along the river.
In a Thursday afternoon update, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced at least one person has died in the flooding.
“We will be doing everything possible to save human life,” Abbott said in an update posted to social media.
He added about 80 rescues have been made, and the person who was killed was not a camper in the region.
The “rapidly rising rivers” will continue to rise throughout the day, the governor said.
The National Weather Service has offered constant updates, noting the urgent threat and urging for people to get to safety.
“CATASTROPHIC flooding is occurring. Move to higher ground now! Guadalupe River is rapidly rising and will continue!”‘ The National weather Service in San Antonio posted on X.
The Guadalupe River has already risen 32ft (975cm) in a four-hour span, according to the Texas Tribune. The flooding has impacted several counties in South Texas, including Uvalde, Kerr and Kendall.
The same area in Texas County Hill experienced deadly flooding over the Fourth of July holiday last year, when more than 130 people lost their lives.
At Camp Mystic, a girls’ Christian summer camp, tragedy struck as the Guadalupe River rose 26ft in about 45 minutes. A total of 25 campers lost their lives after being swept away by forceful currents.
Camp Mystic decided not to reopen this year and filed for bankruptcy earlier this summer.
By BBC News
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