Death Toll Rises to 109 in Texas Flood Disaster; Search Continues for Over 160 Missing in Kerr County
The death toll from the devastating floods in Texas has risen to 109, with search and rescue operations ongoing for more than 160 missing individuals in Kerr County alone, as the state grapples with the aftermath of the disaster.
Kokcha News Agency: Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced that the death toll from the catastrophic floods triggered by heavy rainfall on July 4 has risen to 109. The governor also revealed that more than 160 people remain missing in Kerr County alone, with search and rescue efforts continuing to locate them.
Abbott did not provide a total figure for the number of missing individuals across the state but emphasized that rescue operations would persist until all missing persons are accounted for.
The floods have caused widespread destruction across Texas, with homes, roads, and infrastructure severely damaged. The disaster has left communities in shock as they struggle to recover from the unprecedented flooding.
Criticism of National Weather Service
Local Republican officials in Texas have criticized the National Weather Service (NWS) for failing to provide adequate warnings and accurate forecasts ahead of the disaster. They attributed the lack of preparedness to budget cuts imposed on the NWS under President Donald Trump’s austerity policies.
The NWS, responsible for monitoring and forecasting weather conditions, has faced scrutiny for its inability to predict the severity of the storms that led to the floods.
Response and Recovery Efforts
Governor Abbott has pledged full state support for recovery efforts, including emergency aid for affected communities and resources for rebuilding damaged infrastructure. Federal assistance has also been requested to help the state cope with the scale of the disaster.
The floods have highlighted the vulnerability of Texas to extreme weather events, raising concerns about the need for improved disaster preparedness and climate resilience measures.
