BBC Information
US President Donald Trump reassured residents of Kerrville, Texas, that the federal government would assist rebuild after floods hit the central a part of the state final week, killing 120 individuals.
The president and First Girl Melania Trump met on Friday with native officers on the bottom – standing in entrance of an upended tractor trailer – and surveyed the injury.
“I’ve by no means seen something prefer it,” Trump mentioned after taking a tour of the devastation.
Greater than 12,300 volunteers have gathered to assist seek for the 161 individuals nonetheless lacking statewide. Officers mentioned volunteers have been working 10 hours a day.
Trump informed officers at a day roundtable that he and the primary girl have been on the town to “categorical the love and assist, and the anguish of our whole nation”.
The primary girl, who ordinarily retains a low profile, joined the tour of the devastation. She mentioned she hugged and prayed with households of the victims throughout her go to.
“My deepest sympathy to the entire mother and father who misplaced lovely younger souls,” she mentioned. “We’re grieving with you. Our nation is grieving with you.”
She additionally promised to go to once more.
Within the wake of the lethal tragedy, questions have been raised about whether or not ample warnings have been offered and why some weren’t evacuated forward of the deluge.
“Solely an evil individual would ask a query like that,” Trump responded when the subject got here up Friday, saying it is easy to take a seat again and marvel what may have occurred.
The Guadalupe River ranges, which submerged houses, roads and vehicles, caught many abruptly.
The disaster unfolded earlier than dawn final Friday because the river rose 26ft (8m) within the span of simply 45 minutes. Younger youngsters and employees at summer time camps alongside the river have been asleep as climate alerts went off.
Search crews in Texas are nonetheless sifting via particles for scores of lacking individuals. Authorities have mentioned they won’t relent till everyone seems to be accounted for.
Consultants have mentioned there have been quite a lot of elements that led to the tragic floods in, together with the pre-dawn timing, the situation of some houses and the acute climate.
