Kerrville, Jul 10 (AP) - In a deeply emotional gathering, several hundred people congregated at a high school stadium in Texas on Wednesday evening to honor those lost in the devastating flash floods over the July Fourth holiday. The catastrophe claimed the lives of at least 120 individuals, while more than 160 remain missing. As the gathering strengthened through prayer, Wyatt Wentrcek, a youth minister from the area, fervently addressed the crowd in the bleachers of Tivy Antler Stadium in Kerrville. "Our communities were struck with tragedy literally in the darkness," he lamented. "Middle of the night." Attendees held each other close, some wiping away tears during the solemn prayers for the victims and those still unaccounted for in Kerr County, which includes the town of Kerrville. Amidst the crowd were many wearing blue shirts with the school's motto, “Tivy Fight Never Die,” and green ribbons representing Camp Mystic, a storied all-girls Christian summer camp in Kerr County. Tragically, 27 campers and counselors from this camp lost their lives, with five campers and one counselor still missing, according to officials. Ricky Pruitt from the Kerrville Church of Christ also addressed the crowd, highlighting the profound difference of this gathering compared to other events held in the stadium. “Tonight is very different than all of those nights,” he noted. Meanwhile, search crews and dedicated volunteers continue the relentless effort along the Guadalupe River, employing airboats, helicopters, and horses in their pursuit. In their search for answers, rescue dogs are employed to detect any burials beneath trees and ground mounds. With any hope of rescue diminishing, the focus is on providing closure to grieving families. Bob Henson, a meteorologist with Yale Climate Connections, highlighted that these floods are now the deadliest from inland flooding in the United States since 1976, when 144 people perished during the Big Thompson Canyon flood in Colorado. Authorities are eager for more information on those present in the popular tourist region known as the Hill Country over the holiday weekend, especially those who did not register their stay at a camp or hotel. Questions concerning the timeline of events and why alarms and precautions were not more pervasive have been a source of ongoing criticism for local officials in the area. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha stressed that these questions will eventually be addressed, but emphasized that the current focus remains squarely on victim recovery. Governor Greg Abbott has urged state legislators to enhance flood warning systems and boost emergency communication capabilities across flood-prone regions statewide, as they prepare to convene a special session on July 21st already called to tackle other issues. In his statements, Abbott also advocated for financial assistance dedicated to response and recovery from these storms. Abbott emphasized, “We must ensure better preparation for such events in the future.” Despite years of discussions among local leaders for a flood warning system, financial and noise concerns impeded progress in implementing sirens. President Donald Trump has expressed his commitment to providing Texas with necessary recovery support and is scheduled for a visit to the state on Friday. Pre-flood polling indicates that a majority of Americans perceive the federal government as crucial in natural disaster preparedness and response. Increasing concern about catastrophic flooding is echoed by experts, who recognize an association between a warming climate and the frequency of such storms. Earlier this week, flash floods in New Mexico claimed three lives, further highlighting the urgency for disaster readiness. As the ceremony concluded in Kerrville, children, families, and students gathered on the field, many forming prayer circles, while licensed counselors and therapists remained present to offer support. Andrew Brown, who paid tribute to a Tivy High School soccer coach who died in the floods, voiced his belief in the need for a siren warning system. “I'm sure there are things that could have been different, and I'm sure there will be going forward," he remarked. Additionally, David Garza traveled an hour and a half to the stadium to show his support for loved ones affected by the disaster. Reflecting on past floods he witnessed in 1978 and 1987, Garza expressed a personal connection, saying, “I just wanted to be a part of this.”
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