NEED TO KNOW
- A Texas rancher fought back tears as he reacted to the flooding tragedy that affected Texas on July 4
- “There are just no words that I can say that describe what I’m seeing,” the local resident said
- More than 50 people have died, and many others remain missing following the tragedy
A Texas rancher had an emotional reaction to the devastating impact of the flooding tragedy affecting his community.
The man, who did not share his identity, fought back tears as he called the ordeal “the worst flood” the region has seen.
Standing in front of a destroyed building, he tearfully told CNN, “I grew up with this store. I’ve danced here, I’ve been here. Sat by the fireplace in a rocking chair and drank a beer. The devastation … there are just no words that I can say that describe what I’m seeing.”
“My ranch, it was completely underwater. The water got that high — just unbelievable,” the resident from Hunt in western Kerr County continued, shaking his head.
“This very well may be the worst flood Hunt has ever seen,” he added.
More than 50 people have died, including 28 adults and 15 children, following the devastating flash floods in central Texas on Friday, July 4, NBC News, CNN and The Washington Post reported as of Sunday, July 6.
Many others remain missing, including several young girls from the Christian summer camp, Camp Mystic.
The rancher reacted to the horror faced by the young campers this week, telling CNN, “The devastation is unbelievable. How these kids survived in any of these camps along the river is nothing short of a miracle.”
Kerr County, which is approximately 50 miles northwest of San Antonio, was hit particularly hard by the floods. According to CNN, Hunt received more than six inches of rain in three hours on July 4, experiencing “more than an entire summer’s worth of rain.”
Flooding in the Guadalupe River, which runs through Kerr County, reached its second-highest height ever, receiving at least 10 inches of rain in the area, per ABC affiliate Eyewitness News and San Antonio outlet KSAT.
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in an initial July 4 statement the state “is providing all necessary resources to Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt and the entire Texas Hill Country dealing with these devastating floods.”
In another, shared a day later, he issued a proclamation declaring Sunday, July 6, a “Day of Prayer” in Texas.
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