Pope Leo Offers Prayers, Condolences After Texas Floods Leave Dozens Dead.
Pope Leo on Sunday extended heartfelt condolences to families affected by the catastrophic floods in Texas, which have claimed at least 50 lives and left nearly 30 people missing, many of them children.
“I would like to express sincere condolences to all the families who have lost loved ones, particularly the daughters who were attending a summer camp during the disaster caused by the flooding of the Guadalupe River in Texas. We pray for them,” said the US-born pontiff during his remarks following the Angelus prayer at the Vatican.
The tragedy unfolded after torrential rains battered central Texas on Friday, causing the Guadalupe River to rise a staggering eight meters (26 feet) in just 45 minutes. The sudden deluge overwhelmed riverside communities and swept away a summer camp attended by dozens of young girls.
Emergency responders continued their search through the night for 27 girls and teenagers still unaccounted for. Many had been staying in cabins near the riverbank when the waters surged.
Weather officials reported that nearly 300 millimeters of rain fell within an hour, equivalent to roughly a third of the region’s annual rainfall, triggering what authorities have called one of the worst flood events in recent Texas history.
Local authorities have declared a state of emergency, as rescue operations remain underway and residents assess the widespread damage.
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