Texas flood kills 69 as Trump declares state disaster emergency

Trump stated that he signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County, Texas. The President acknowledged that many people had died and that there were also people missing. Response efforts are underway, and more than 850 people have been rescued.

"The Trump Administration continues to work closely with State and Local Leaders. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem was on the ground yesterday with Governor Greg Abbott, who is working hard to help the people of his Great State," the statement says.

According to CNN, units of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) were deployed in Texas after Trump signed the document.

"The US Coast Guard is flying two helicopters in the Llano, Texas area and is assisting with two helicopters and three C-144 airplanes equipped with thermal cameras to find more survivors," the US Department of Homeland Security confirmed, noting that 850 people have been rescued.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the flood has reached 69 people, 59 of whom died specifically in Kerr County - 38 adults and 21 children. Twelve people are considered missing - 11 children and their counselor from the private Camp Mystic. The camp was hit by the disaster, and most of the victims were from there.

Flood in Texas

The sudden flood in Central Texas began on the morning of July 4, when the Guadalupe River overflowed its banks after heavy rainfall. Kerr County was hit, and within just 45 minutes the water rose by 8–9 meters.

At the private children's Camp Mystic, of the 700 people who were there, dozens died or went missing. Among the dead was the camp director, Richard "Dick" Eastland, who was saving people until the very end, as well as three children under 10 years old.

Furthermore, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed condolences to the United States over the deadly flood in Texas.