​26-feet surge in Texas river: Abbott declares emergency; Donald Trump to visit affected zones

Catastrophic flash floods devastated Texas, leaving at least 82 dead and over 40 still missing, as emergency crews continue urgent search operations. The disaster hit during the July 4 weekend, with fast-moving floodwaters inundating homes, sweeping away vehicles and forcing residents to cling to rooftops and trees in a desperate bid for survival. (Image: AP)

Kerr County in the Texas Hill Country emerged as the epicentre of the tragedy, where the Guadalupe River surged over 26 feet in just 45 minutes. The unprecedented rise turned deadly almost instantly, where almost 68 people have died, including 28 children. (Image: AP)

The tragedy also struck Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ summer camp where floodwaters inundated as children slept. Ten girls and a counsellor remained unaccounted for, and at least six young campers were confirmed dead. The emotional toll on families and rescuers has been immense. (Image: PTI)

US President Donald Trump described the floods as a “100-year catastrophe” and said he would visit the devastated areas “probably on Friday.” “It’s just so horrible to watch,” he remarked. (Image: AP)

Texas governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster in Kerrville, unlocking emergency resources for search, rescue, and recovery efforts. He was joined by Homeland security secretary Kristi Noem, who pledged federal support. As rains continue, rescuers are working urgently to locate the missing and support affected communities. (Image: AP)

However, the disaster has raised serious concerns about early warning systems. While the national weather service issued a flood watch a day before the worst rainfall, officials now admit that forecasts underestimated the scale and speed of the flooding. (Image: AP)

Experts are calling for urgent upgrades to flood warning infrastructure, including local sirens and community alert systems. With more rainfall predicted, officials and residents alike are bracing for the possibility of renewed flooding in the days ahead. (Image: AP)

The Texas Hill Country flood is the latest in a growing wave of devastating flash floods across the US- from Kentucky to New Jersey, New Orleans to the Lone Star State. These disasters have left communities shattered and a mounting toll of economic damage running into the hundreds of billions of dollars. (Image: AP)