Texas, catastrophic flooding
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At least 119 people have been found dead in nearly a week since heavy rainfall overwhelmed the river and flowed through homes and youth camps in the early morning hours of July 4. Ninety-five of those killed were in the hardest-hit county in central Texas, Kerr County, where the toll includes at least three dozen children.
A major flood event also struck the Texas Hill Country in July of 1987 after a series of 17 thunderstorms moved slowly, in succession, over the headwaters of the Guadalupe River in Kerr County. Anywhere from 5 to 10 inches of rain fell on the flood-prone areas, now deemed “Flash Flood Alley,” according to a National Weather Service report.
Scorching heat and blazing sun will challenge recovery efforts in Texas’ flood-ravaged Hill Country as the region settles into a more typical July weather pattern.
While there is not much that can be done at night because it's so dark, there are some people who are continuing the very slow, methodical process of untangling huge debris, where most of the remaining missing victims are believed to be.
More than 100 people have died across Texas from the floods, with Kerr County taking the heaviest blow. Nonprofits, restaurants and prominent business from H-E-B to the Salvation Army to P. Terry's are all taking efforts to raise funds or provide supplies to the impacted communities. A full list of places accepting donations can be found here.
The rivers etching the terrain are a beloved feature of the rapidly growing region. But last week’s flooding was an agonizing reminder of the dangers they pose.
Gary and DeeAnn Knetsch were camping directly next to the Guadalupe River with their son, Jake Moeller, his wife, Megan and their five-year-old daughter, Harley. Gary, DeeAnn, Jake and Megan all lost their lives. Harley is still among the missing. Both families lived in Canyon Lake but have ties to the Houston and Mont Belvieu areas.
The recent disaster has some thinking back to a similar tragedy almost 40 years ago that occurred in the same month and nearly the same place.
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The Texas Tribune on MSNAs Guadalupe River flows calm, evidence of its destructive force remainsHill Country residents and volunteers on Tuesday continued picking up the pieces that the deadly waterway left behind days earlier.