More than 40 dead, dozens missing in Texas flooding
KERRVILLE, Texas (CNN, KYMA/KECY) - The death toll in Texas continues to rise as the state grapples with historic flooding.
At least 43 people, 28 adults and 15 children, have been killed, and dozens of others are missing.
Some areas received nearly seven-inches of rain in just three hours, and more rain is on the way.
"Today will be a hard day," said Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr.
Texas officials provided an update Saturday on the catastrophic flooding.
"We will be relentless in going after and ensuring that we locate every single person who has been a victim of this flooding event," said Governor Greg Abbott (R-Texas).
The rain began early Friday. Officials say it came down so fast that the Guadalupe River rose more than 20 feet in two hours.
"It was just an extreme amount of water coming down and rising," said Chris Warren, a meteorologist for CNN.
One of the worst hit areas was in Kerr County as a home swept away by the river.
The fierce waters also destroyed several homes in Kerrville.
"We jumped out and got washed out about three houses and we finally ended up snagged on a big bush," said Scott Walden, who was rescued from the flooding.
Walden says he was hanging onto a tree for 30 minutes until he was rescued by emergency crews. The front of his house is now gone.
Hundreds have been rescued or evacuated since Friday.
"The number one priority now is people is making sure we are finding people as fast as possible," said Kristi Noem, Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security.
One of their more tragic stories coming out of Hunt, Texas where flash floods took over Camp Mystic, a popular summer camp for girls.
While many have been reunited with families, officials say more than two dozen girls are still missing. One of the campers who'd been unaccounted for is nine-year-old Janie Hunt. Her family confirming she passed away in the floods.
The threat is not over yet as much of central Texas is still under flood alerts Saturday and more rain is on the way.
In another press conference held later in the day, Governor Abbott said he signed an official request for additional assistance from the federal government, with Secretary Noem saying Texas will receive all the help they need from the Trump Administration.
