The lack of emergency communication and evacuation procedures at Camp Mystic - built on a river - is mind-boggling.
We had heavy rains in the Pittsburgh area in June. Nearby North Park was hosting a Scout camp. Not on a river, but near a creek, and the response was immediate. “Even though the water was only a few inches high, it was flowing quickly into the nearby creek. So, rescue crews strapped helmets and life jackets on each child and carefully guided them across.”
Critical planning and preparation was sorely lacking at Camp Mystic.
JMO
Our reporter on scene could see dozens of kids with life jackets while emergency crews helped rescue them.
www.wpxi.com
I've stayed in the Hunt area before. It's an exotic oasis in a semi-arid region with narrow channels, which makes it very popular for oasis for tubing and canoeing. The road winds over the river dozens of times, but the road itself is one giant low water crossing. There is no cell service either.
You can't get out if it floods and it floods very frequently. The semi-arid nature of our streams makes them more prone to flash flooding. (They're basically ephemeral) You need to leave before it floods or stay put.
The floods rarely threatens structures. So, everyone just stays inside until it drains. It's a "routine".
119 people died in Kerr County and only 27 of them were at Camp Mystic. Many were in RVs and cabins.
Kids should not be sleeping in flood plains. No one could call 911.
I would like to see the area more devoted to day use.
It also irks me that there is no AC in the cabins. . Really? This isn't 1950. All cabins need to be on higher ground or if they don't have high ground, maybe put the cabins near Kerrville with day use areas in Hunt. And please put AC in the cabins! It's like they're trying to be like the 1950's and it's not working! Their excuse for having cabins near the water, "We don't have AC and it's cooler down there".
They also need to install cell towers!!!
If this horrific storm happened during the day, I doubt if there would have been as many deaths. People would have left or moved to higher before it got bad.
This is also the most destructive of any flood in the history of the area. (The 1921 flood had more deaths, but that was due to so many people living in shacks near the San Antonio River) Before this storm, Hunt, Ingram and Kerrville was a cypress lined oasis. Many trees were 500 years old. It was quaint and secluded. The raging river destroyed everything in its path. Now it looks like a desert. The city park in Kerrville looks like a bomb hit it. It's so sad. The damage to the river basin is similar at a strong tornado or strong hurricane.
Many people don't realize that Kerrville is part of the combined statistic area of San Antonio and that the San Antonio River and the Guadalupe join together at the coast.
I live in San Antonio. My son lived in Kerrville for awhile. Although it's 65 miles away, it's a quick drive from my house. It's always been a local oasis. But it is no longer is. Now people go up to Kerrville to help the local community. It's very sad.
Although I didn't know anyone who died, we've all lost something in this flood. We all lost part of a community. We've lost our little oasis. We've lost something that is dear to us.
