Before and after images of the Texas floods which killed more than 110 with 160 still missing lay bare the destruction the ‘tsunami wall of water’ has caused.
Images released by Maxar Technologies shows the Ingram Dam before flash flooding along the Guadalupe River on July 25, 2022.
On July 4 heavy rain caused the river to surge by more than 20 feet within 90 minutes, washing out the surrounding areas.
The epicentre of the floods was in Kerr County, west of Austin, with girl’s summer retreat Camp Mysticstruck by a ‘tsunami wall of water’ killing 27 children and their counselors.
Renee Smajstrla was the first victim at the camp confirmed dead following the deluge.
Her uncle Shawn Salta wrote on Facebook: ‘Thank you to all our friends and family for all the prayers and outreach.
‘Renee has been found and while not the outcome we prayed for, the social media outreach likely assisted the first responders in helping to identify her so quickly.
‘We are thankful she was with her friends and having the time of her life, as evidenced by this picture from yesterday. She will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic. Please continue to pray for the other families in Kerrville.’
Lila Bonner, nine, was also identified, along with Eloise Peck, eight. Both attended the same primary school.
Eloise’s mother Missy told Fox4News: ‘Eloise was literally friends with anyone.
‘Eloise had a family who loved her fiercely for the 8 years she was with us. Especially her Mommy.’
The other two victims were identified as Sarah Marsh and Janie Hunt.
At least five girls and 19-year-old counselor Katherine Ferruzzo are still missing.
Several towns were also devastated by the severe floods, with 850 people evacuated from the area.
Some 87 people have died with 161 still missing in Kerr County, while seven bodies have been found in Travis with at least 10 still missing.
Eight people have died in Kendall, and Burnet has suffered five fatalities, with one person still missing.
Three are confirmed to have died in Williamson County, with one still missing, and at least one body has been located in Tom Green County.
Hopes of finding survivors are rapidly fading, with only bodies now being found five days on from the flooding.
Witnesses describe a ‘wall of water’ smashing into their homes and reaching all the way up to the first floor.
One survivor Hallie Thompson told NBC the force of the floods ripped her home in half – before receding as rapidly as it came.
Texas governor Greg Abbott has declared a disaster in the following counties: Bexar, Burnet, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Travis, Williamson, Bandera, Coke, Comal, Concho, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Reeves, San Saba and Tom Green.
Meanwhile the National Weather Service has declared a flash food emergency in Ruidoso, New Mexico, with residents urged to seek higher ground.
Footage shows a home being swept up in the waters where river waters have risen by 15 ft.
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