The floods in the Texas Hill Country have led to a tragic loss of at least 110 lives, with 27 from the all-girls Camp Mystic. County officials have long sought flood warning systems without success. The region is therefore particularly vulnerable to flash floods due to its geology, including thin soil and limestone bedrock. Recent extreme weather, fueled by Tropical Storm Barry's moisture, overwhelmed the terrain, leading to catastrophic flooding on July 4. The effects were felt keenly at Camp Mystic, where the camp director died while trying to rescue campers.
County officials had pressed the state for flood warning systems for nearly a decade but without luck. Flash flooding is a recurring threat in this part of Texas.
The region is home to several popular sleepaway camps and youth facilities serving families from across Texas, including Hill Country Youth Ranch.
The Guadalupe River has flooded catastrophically in the past, with notable incidents in 1978, 1987 and in 2002, raising longstanding concerns about the vulnerability of the area.
Among the dead is camp director Dick Eastland, who perished trying to save the girls from the rushing floodwaters.
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