Trump to Texas: 'Our Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, will be there shortly'
'Our Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, will be there shortly,' Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform Saturday. 'Melania and I are praying for all of the families impacted by this horrible tragedy.'
The death toll continued to rise after flooding rains rapidly overwhelmed the Guadalupe River in Texas on Friday. That prompted a frantic and ongoing rescue effort that continued into Saturday, including a search for 27 missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian girls camp at the river's edge in central Texas' Kerr County.
'Our Brave First Responders are on site doing what they do best,' Trump said. 'GOD BLESS THE FAMILIES, AND GOD BLESS TEXAS!'
At least 18 adults and nine children have been confirmed dead in the flooding that began Wednesday, including some who have not been identified, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said at a Saturday morning news conference.
More: At least 27 dead in Texas flooding; over two dozen campers missing from Camp Mystic
Authorities have recovered 850 uninjured people and eight injured people as well, said Leitha, who stressed those numbers could rise. 'We are working hard to locate anyone who is still missing and to ensure they're safe,' Leitha said.
Vice President JD Vance also said Saturday that 'our nation's heart breaks for the victims in Texas and their families. ... I hope everyone affected knows they're in the prayers of my family, and of millions of Americans.'
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