Record Rainfall in Texas Leaves 13 Dead, Over 20 Camp Children Missing

Heavy Rainfall Hits Kerr County... "Devastating Floods"
Whereabouts of Over 20 Camp Participants Remain Unconfirmed

Record-breaking rainfall has caused rivers to overflow in inland Texas, leading to widespread damage.

According to reports from the Associated Press and CNN on the 4th (local time), flash floods triggered by sudden heavy rain in Kerr County, central Texas, have claimed the lives of 13 people so far. As rescue operations continue, the death toll may rise further.

The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) announced that approximately 127 to 279 millimeters of rain fell in inland Texas on this day. The heaviest damage was concentrated in Kerr County, located about 105 kilometers northwest of San Antonio, a major city in southern Texas.

According to residents, flooding began in the early hours of the morning, and within less than two hours, water levels rose rapidly.

Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick stated at a press conference that "the Guadalupe River surged by more than 8 meters in just 45 minutes, resulting in significant loss of life and property," adding, "This level of destructive flooding is almost unprecedented."

On the 4th (local time), emergency responders searched along the banks of the Guadalupe River in Ingram, Texas, looking for a missing person. Photo by Yonhap News

Patrick also revealed that of the 750 youths participating in the girls' summer camp 'Camp Mystic,' organized by a private Christian group, the whereabouts of about 20 remain unconfirmed. He explained, "We cannot definitively say they are completely missing," and added, "Some may have taken refuge in trees, or may simply be out of contact."

Most of the remaining camp participants have been confirmed safe, but immediate evacuation is difficult due to flooded roads.

Authorities have deployed 14 helicopters, 12 drones, and hundreds of rescue personnel for search and rescue operations, and are using rescue boats to evacuate stranded residents.

Meteorological authorities have warned that additional rainfall is expected over the next 24 to 48 hours, urging residents to evacuate to safe locations.

The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Houston stated that, as of now, there have been no reports of damage involving Korean nationals or Korean residents related to the heavy rain. A consulate official noted, "The affected area is about an hour's drive from downtown San Antonio and is not known to be a region with a large Korean population."