Children were among the dozens who were killed, officials said.
Dozens of people are dead after heavy rain lashed Texas, leading to “catastrophic” flooding.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said emergency responders remained in a search and rescue posture, hours after the flooding along the Guadalupe River inundated nearby areas.
“So many people have been swept up into an extraordinary catastrophe,” Abbott said, asking for prayers for residents.
Children are among the dead, and about 23 campers from a summer camp in the area, Camp Mystic, were unaccounted for, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said at an earlier news conference.
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Here’s how the news is developing.
Jul 5, 8:35 am
At least 43 people are dead due to severe weather
At least 43 people died after heavy rain pounded Kerr County, Texas, early Friday, leading to “catastrophic” flooding, according to officials.
Children are among the dead, said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who has taken on the duties of acting governor.
There are several major camps in the area, and at one of them, Camp Mystic, about 23 to 25 of its 750 campers are unaccounted for, according to officials.
Dozens of people were rescued Friday morning and search efforts are ongoing, Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said.
Residents are asked to shelter in place.
Severe weather is expected to continue on Saturday with flash flooding warnings in effect.
3 hours and 21 minutes ago
43 dead in Kerr County
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha provided an update on the flood damage in his area during a news conference and said the death toll rose to 43 people as of 7 p.m. ET.
“Among these who are deceased, we have 28 adults and 15 children,” he said.
Leitha said five children and 12 adults are pending identification.
“I assure you we’re going to do everything along with our partners, and we’ll be on this till we find the last body,” he said.
4:47 PM EDT
32 dead, including 14 children, in catastrophic flooding
At least 32 people are dead, including 14 children, Texas officials said Saturday. Officials are still searching for 27 people who are missing.
“My instruction to every state official involved is to assume everybody who is missing is alive, and there’s a need for speed. Not just every hour, every minute counts, which is why there’s people in the air, people in the water, people at the ground right now because they’re looking to save every last life and we will not give up that effort,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said at a press conference.
Search and rescue teams are continuing to search for live victims, officials said.
4:33 PM EDT
More than 850 people rescued in last 36 hours
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott commended rescue workers who have saved over 850 people in the last 36 hours, including people who were “clinging to trees to save their lives,” he said.
“What has happened over the past 36 hours is really amazing when you look at what the local officials have done, working and collaborating with multiple state agencies as well as our federal partners,” Abbott said.
4:27 PM EDT
Abbott signs expanded disaster declaration adding more counties impacted by flooding
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed an expanded emergency declaration that added Texas counties impacted by the disastrous flooding. The new declaration now includes Bexar, Burnet, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Travis and Williamson counties, Abbott said at a press conference Saturday afternoon.
“We will be relentless and going after and ensuring that we locate every single person who’s been a victim of this flooding event. We’re not going to stop today or tomorrow. We will stop when the job is completed,” Abbott said.
Abbott also signed a request for a federal emergency declaration.
“Know that President Trump is absolutely heartbroken by what has happened here in Texas, and the loss of life is absolutely devastating to him and Melania,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said at the press conference.
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