Wednesday, July 9

The death toll in the devastating Texas floods from earlier this week has risen again, and over 160 people are still missing after several camps were inundated.

The flooding was a result of extremely heavy rains across central Texas, with the worst of the effects occurring near the Guadalupe River. Around 4-8 inches of rain was predicted to fall in the area, but over 10 inches fell in most areas, with precipitation totals exceeding 18 inches in some spots.

The river quickly rose and burst its banks, inundating the surrounding region, which is a popular place for summer camps. Dozens of camps are located in Kerr County, where the worst of the flooding hit, requiring thousands of people to be rescued.

Now, after days of search-and-rescue operations, many have been rescued, but bodies are still being uncovered as the military and Coast Guard join police in their efforts. Texas Governor Greg Abbott confirmed that over 1,750 people are working with around 975 vehicles to assist in the search, and it is continuing in full force. The death toll has now risen past 110, and at least 160 others are still missing, many of which are children.

However, citizens are now looking to place the blame on a certain party, and several groups have come under scrutiny. Meteorologists are being criticized for their incorrect predictions of the incoming rain, preventing locals from accurately preparing for the devastation that was to come, while many locals did not receive timely alerts that flooding was taking place.

Due to the severity and the speed of the floods, many people barely had enough time to get onto their roofs or climb trees to escape the water, but many of the people who did make it through the initial stages survived the disaster.

Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The stickers on fruits are actually edible-- they are made of a food-based paper that has no nutritional value but is still safe for consumption.

Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Every job looks easy when you’re not the one doing it.

(Jeffrey R. Immelt)

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Exemplary (adj, ig-ZEM-pluh-ree) - Something described as exemplary is extremely good and deserves to be admired and copied.

In a Sentence: Our research team was awarded for our exemplary work on the project.