It has been reported that a devastating flash flood in Texas, USA, resulted in at least 95 deaths and dozens of missing persons.
The National Weather Service in the United States issued its first warnings 12 hours before the floods began. However, it remains unclear whether these alerts were effectively communicated to everyone. Kerr County did not receive a weather alert, but the National Weather Service stated that they added keywords to their early morning 1 AM warnings to automatically trigger wireless alerts on cell phones and weather radios in the area. The camp policy posted online by the “Mystery Camp” summer camp, which was hit by the floods, states that mobile phones are “not allowed electronic devices” for campers. Therefore, many campers may not be able to use their phones at all.
Larry Lesa, the sheriff of Kerr County, Texas, reported that as of 8:30 AM local time on July 4th, after the floods struck the area, 75 bodies had been found, including 48 adults and 27 children. Among the 48 adults and 27 children, 15 adults and 9 children have yet to be identified. Currently, there are 10 campers and one counselor missing from the “Mystery Camp” summer camp. (Cao Jian)