德州山洪肆虐災情慘重百餘人罹難

美國德克薩斯州在七月初遭遇數十年來最嚴重的山洪災難。受熱帶風暴殘餘水氣影響，中央山區（Hill Country）出現罕見的極端暴雨，導致河水暴漲，多地發生山洪暴發。根據官方統計，截至目前，洪災已造成至少129人死亡，另有逾170人失蹤，災情慘重，令人痛心。

災情集中於克爾縣女童夏令營成重災區

位於中央山區的克爾縣（Kerr County）是本次洪災中受創最嚴重的地區。當地瓜達盧佩河（Guadalupe River）在短短數小時內暴漲逾11米，創下歷史新高。河畔的Camp Mystic女童夏令營慘遭洪水吞噬，導致至少27名青少年營員及輔導人員喪生，多人仍下落不明。

多名生還者描述，當晚大雨如注，警報並未即時發出，帳篷與小木屋在黑暗中瞬間被洪流淹沒，許多孩子來不及逃生。

警報系統遭質疑預警機制亟待改革

據《華盛頓郵報》報導，克爾縣儘管具備IPAWS（整合公共警報與警示系統）功能，卻未啟用最廣泛的緊急廣播警示，僅透過需事前註冊的CodeRED系統發出訊息，導致大部分當地居民與旅客未能即時得知災情，錯失逃生良機。該縣應變機制及溝通流程正遭到外界嚴厲檢視。

州長艾波特（Greg Abbott）已宣布多個縣進入緊急狀態，並協調聯邦緊急事務管理署（FEMA）展開救災行動。專家指出，本次災難暴露德州山區對極端天氣預警與應對系統的不足，未來亟需強化山洪預警模組與即時通訊技術。

救援與社區動員國際支援湧入

目前已有超過400人由空降部隊與救難直升機成功救出，多家民間組織與企業也積極投入救災行列，包括H-E-B超市、Walmart與World Central Kitchen，提供糧食、庇護及衛生支援。

此外，墨西哥政府也派遣救難隊前往協助，展現跨國人道關懷。受災民眾暫時安置於臨時收容中心，並獲得心理輔導與醫療支援。

家破人亡血淚故事令人動容

這場災難不僅帶走了生命，也摧毀了無數家庭與社區。一位17歲少女Malaya Hammond為了救出受困家人，在Marble Falls洪水中不幸喪命。她的英勇行為感動無數人。另一位10歲女孩Greta Toranzo，於Camp Mystic中不幸罹難，學校與社區特設追思空間，慰藉哀慟親友。

克爾縣一位牧場主接受媒體訪問時激動哽咽表示：「這是我一生中所見最可怕的災難，整個家園都被洪水吞噬。」

災後省思加強防災勢在必行

此次洪災已被美國媒體譽為「繼1976年Big Thompson山洪以來最嚴重的內陸水患」，亦是德州近代最致命的自然災害之一。從警報延遲、基礎設施脆弱、緊急應變混亂等問題，再次警示地方政府必須全面檢討災防體系，提升科技與組織應變能力。

德州人民正處於水深火熱之中，而這場天災所引發的省思，亦將影響全美在氣候變遷時代下的應災策略與社會韌性。

Deadly Floods Devastate Texas: Over 100 Lives Lost In Unprecedented Disaster

[Houston, TX] — Central Texas has been ravaged by one of the most devastating flash floods in decades, triggered by remnants of a tropical storm that unleashed extreme rainfall across the Hill Country from July 4th through the 7th. The Guadalupe River rose at an unprecedented rate, engulfing entire communities and left a trail of epic destruction. As of now, at least 129 people have died, and more than 170 remain still missing, making this one of the deadliest natural disasters in Texas history.

Camp Mystic Tragedy: Summer Camp Becomes Epicenter of Grief

Kerr County bore the brunt of the disaster, with 103 of the confirmed fatalities occurring in the region. The Guadalupe River, normally a scenic landmark, turned into a deadly torrent, rising over 37 feet (11 meters) within hours. The most heartbreaking loss unfolded at Camp Mystic, a girls’ summer camp located on the riverbank, where at least 27 campers and staff members perished. Several others remain unaccounted for.

Survivors described a night of terror, with tents and cabins swept away in pitch-black waters, and little or no warning before the floodwaters struck.

Alert System Under Scrutiny: Emergency Warnings Failed

A growing chorus of criticism is being directed at local authorities for the failure to issue timely flood warnings. Despite having access to the national IPAWS emergency alert system, Kerr County officials reportedly opted not to use it, relying instead on the CodeRED subscription-based system—leaving many residents and tourists unaware of the imminent danger.

The delay in communication is now a central focus of state and federal investigations. Governor Greg Abbott has issued an emergency disaster declaration for multiple counties and has requested assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Experts say the tragedy underscores the urgent need for improved early warning systems and disaster readiness in flood-prone areas.

Massive Rescue and Relief Efforts Underway

More than 400 people have been rescued through helicopter airlifts and swift-water operations. Community and corporate partners—including H-E-B, Walmart, and World Central Kitchen—have mobilized to provide food, shelter, and hygiene supplies to affected families.

International aid has also arrived: a Mexican search and rescue team has joined recovery operations, offering cross-border humanitarian support. Emergency shelters have been set up, and survivors are receiving psychological counseling and medical care.

Stories of Heroism and Heartbreak

This flood has shattered countless lives and families. Malaya Hammond, a 17-year-old girl, died while trying to save her family from rising waters in Marble Falls. Her bravery has become a symbol of the human spirit amidst disaster.

Greta Toranzo, a 10-year-old camper at Camp Mystic, also lost her life. Her school community has come together to honor her memory with tributes and support systems for grieving students and families.

A rancher in Kerr County tearfully recounted how floodwaters swept away his land and home: “This is the most terrifying thing I’ve ever seen,” he said.

A Call for Change: Strengthening Disaster Preparedness

This catastrophic event is now being called the most severe inland flash flood since the 1976 Big Thompson disaster, and potentially the deadliest natural calamity in Texas history.

The relentless and unforseen flooding has laid bare the vulnerabilities in emergency preparedness, from outdated warning protocols to a massively inadequate infrastructure. Leaders at all levels are now being urged to invest in resilient flood response systems, real-time communication networks, and comprehensive public education on disaster readiness.