Multiple deaths have been reported in Texas after heavy rains caused sudden floods, while search equipment used ships to make rescue on Friday since river communities that move quickly threatened with habitats and camps of wildlife.
Up to 10 inches of heavy rains fell in a few hours during the night in the center of Kerr County, which caused sudden floods of the Guadalupe River.
Judge Rob Kelly, the main elected official of the County, confirmed the deaths of the floods and dozens of water rescue so far. He said that he was advised not to cite specific numbers and said that the authorities are still working to identify those whose lives were lost.
“Most of them, we don't know who they are,” Kelly said during a press conference. “One of them was completely naked, he had no identification about him. We are trying to get the identity of these people, but we still don't have it.”
The authorities made dozens of bailouts, and the emergency response continued as an unknown number or the people were not counted, Kelly said.
An flood clock broadcast on Thursday afternoon estimated isolated amounts of up to 7 inches of ascending water. That changed to a flood warning for at least 30,000 people during the night.
When asked about the sudden of sudden floods during the night, Kelly said that “we do not have a warning system” and that “we did not know that this flood was going”, even when local journalists pointed out the warnings and pressed answers about why no more precautions were being taken.
“I am sure that no one knew that this type of flood approached,” he said. “We have floods all the time. This is the most dangerous river valley in the United States.”
Texas governor Greg Abbott said the State was providing resources to Hill Country communities that deal with floods, even in Kerville, Ingram and Hunt.
“I urge the Texans to pay attention to state and local officials and monitor local forecasts to avoid driving to flooded areas,” Abbott said in a statement.
The caliber of the Guadalupe River in the unbalanced community of Hunt, where the Bifurca River registered a 22 feet increase in just two hours, according to Bob Fogart, meteorologist of the Austin/San Antonio office of the National Meteorological Service. Fogarty said the meter failed after registering a level of 29 1/2 feet.
“We believe the river is taller than that,” Fogart said. “The meter is completely underwater.”
Communities in front of the river include several camps, wildlife habitats and camps. The Guardians of the Texas game, part of the State Parks and Wildlife Agency, said on Facebook that the search and rescue teams were carrying out rescues throughout the region and sending more ships to help.
“This is the kind of things that will catch you unconscious,” Fogart said. “Water is moving so fast that you will not recognize how bad it is until it is on top of you.”
Severe climate in New Jersey
Meanwhile, strong thunderstorms were blamed for at least three deaths in the center of New Jersey, including two men in Plainfield who died after a tree fell on a vehicle in which they were traveling during the height of a storm there, according to a Facebook post of the city.
The men were 79 and 25, the authorities said. They were not publicly identified immediately.
“Our hearts are heavy today,” said Mayor Adrian O. MAPP in a statement. “This tragedy is an alerting reminder of the power of nature and the fragility of life.”
The city canceled its planned show, concert and fireworks of July 4. Mapp said that “devastating” storms had left “deep scars and generalized damage” in the community of more than 54,000 people and it was a time to “regroup and focus all our energy on recovery.”
The continuous power cuts and fallen trees were reported on Friday throughout the south of New England, where some communities received large amounts of hail. There were reports of off -road cars on the northeast of Connecticut.
FINGERHUT writes for Associated Press.
