Rising death toll in Texas floods as children remain missing
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha raised the death toll from 13 as hundreds of emergency crews, supported by helicopters and drones, continue to scour the area in an urgent search effort.
"What I can confirm at this point, we're at about 24 fatalities," Lethia told evening press conference
Texas Governor Greg Abbott shared a video on social media showing a victim being rescued from a tree by a responder dangling from a helicopter, as floodwaters raged below.
US President Donald Trump described the floods as "terrible" and "shocking."
Girls from summer camp among those missing
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet (8 meters) within 45 minutes during intense downpours that deluged the region.
"About 23" girls were unaccounted for from Camp Mystic along the river, Patrick said.
"That does not mean they've been lost. They could be in a tree, they could be out of communication," he added.
The camp director said the site had "sustained catastrophic level of flooding."
Although most of the 750 campers were confirmed safe, authorities were initially unable to reach them due to floodwaters that rendered the roads impassable.
However, Texas Game Wardens, law enforcement officers with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, later posted on social media that they, "have made entry into Camp Mystic with vehicles and are beginning to bring campers out!"
As of Friday night, emergency personnel had rescued or evacuated 237 people, including 167 by helicopter.
More rain is forecast, and the flood threat persists
"Even if the rain is light, more flooding can occur in those areas," Patrick said. "There is an ongoing threat for possible flash flooding from San Antonio to Waco for the next 24 to 48 hours, in addition to the continued risks in west and central Texas."
The Llano River flowing through adjacent Mason County was also reportedly running at flood stage.
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