On July 9, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said more than 160 people were still missing after a severe flash flood in the state early on July 4.
Although the search is being intensified, the hope of finding survivors is increasingly slim.
The disaster has killed at least 109 people, with Kerr County being the hardest hit, with at least 94 fatalities. Among them were at least 27 children and their guides who were attending a summer camp on the Guadalupe River when the floodwaters arrived early on the morning of July 4, coinciding with the start of the US Independence Day holiday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Governor Abbott said 161 of the missing persons cases were reported in Kerr County and that number could continue to rise as authorities receive more reports from relatives and local residents. Among them, 6 children and 1 instructor are still missing related to the Guadalupe River Summer Camp.
The Texas Rangers said the search was aided by helicopters, drones and dogs, but was hampered by the large amount of water and mud. Meanwhile, local officials warned that heavy rains in the coming days could hamper the search and rescue efforts.
Previously, President Donald Trump declared a major disaster in Kerr County on July 6. The White House announced that the President and his wife will travel to Texas on July 11 to inspect the scene.
On the same day, the US National Weather Service (NWS) declared a state of emergency due to flash floods in the town of Ruidoso, about 296 km south of Albuquerque (New Mexico).
Officials said many people were trapped by flash floods and many homes were severely damaged. The NWS warned that the Rio Ruidoso
