KERR COUNTY, Texas – At least 43 people are dead in Central Texas after catastrophic flash floods swept away cars and homes in Kerr County.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said Saturday that 28 adults and 15 children have been recovered. Twelve people remain unidentified.
Among those still missing were 27 girls from a Christian summer camp located along the Guadalupe River.
Authorities have not said how many others are thought to be missing as search efforts continued into Sunday.
The county offered two ways to report a missing person on Saturday. One is by calling 830-258-1111. The other is via email at [email protected]. Information given by both methods will be forwarded to relief and incident managers.
Gov. Greg Abbott on Saturday said rescuers would work around the clock in the area.
What they’re saying:
“My instruction to every state agency involved in this is to assume everybody who is missing is alive, and there’s a need for speed,” Gov. Greg Abbott said. “Not just every hour. Every minute counts. Which is why those people in the air, people in the water, people on the ground right now, because they’re looking to save every last life. And we will not give up that effort to what was the other side as well.”
Related
Photos and videos from FOX 7 viewers show widespread damage amid deadly flooding in Travis, Williamson and Burnet counties.
According to officials, more than 850 people have been rescued with crews from around the state and the Coast Guard aiding the rescue efforts.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Saturday said Coast Guard helicopters and planes with thermal imaging were assisting to continue search efforts even in darkness.
“Some of the assets that other agencies may offer don’t have that kind of equipment,” Noem said. “But the Coast Guard does have it. And so that will be deployed so that the search and rescue efforts don’t stop, even when it does get dark at night.”
Sunday is a day of prayer
Abbott called for a “Day of Prayer” Sunday.
“Texans are known for their faith, strength, and resilience,” said Governor Abbott. “Even as floodwaters raged, neighbors rushed in to rescue, comfort, and bring hope. In times of loss, we turn to God for comfort, healing, and strength. I urge every Texan to join me in prayer this Sunday—for the lives lost, for those still missing, for the recovery of our communities, and for the safety of those on the front lines.”
During his Angelus on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV spoke in English to express condolences to the families impacted in Texas.
“I would like to express sincere condolences to all the families who have lost loved ones, in particular their daughters, who were at the summer camp, in the disaster caused by flooding of the Guadalupe river in Texas in the United States,” he said. “We pray for them.”
What’s next:
Officials are expected to provide updates on rescue efforts throughout the day Sunday.
Kerr County flooding
The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes in the early morning hours on Friday.
The swift rise washed away homes and vehicles.
More than 800 people have been rescued from the floodwaters.
Kerrville was under a flood watch Sunday until 1 p.m.
Austin area flooding
At least four people were killed in flooding in the Austin area Saturday.
As of Sunday morning, four people were reported dead in Travis County, and two deaths were reported in Burnet County. Others are still missing. That includes a teenager and a fire official who were swept away.
Flash flood watches are in effect for most of the Austin-area on Sunday, while crews work to try to find those who went missing in this weekend’s flooding.
Related
Flash flood watches are in effect for most of the Austin-area on Sunday, while crews work to try to find those who went missing in this weekend’s flooding.
In the last 48 hours, some parts of Central Texas have seen 15 inches of rain.
Off and on rain in the area on Sunday will make things difficult as crews attempt to work.
Williamson and Travis County are under a level one risk, according to the Storm Prediction Center’s 1 to 5 scale.
We do not expect to see as much rain as we saw on Friday or Saturday.
Most areas will see about an inch or two of rain, but some pockets could see heavier totals.
Some isolated areas could see 2 to 4 inches of rain, with a slight possibility of up to 10 inches.
The Source: Information on the flooding in Kerr County comes from Kerr County officials. Information on Sunday’s Day of Prayer comes from Gov. Greg Abbott.
