At least 32 people, including 14 children, have died in flooding in Texas
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said Saturday that the search for about 27 girls still missing at Camp Mystic continues.
At least 32 people, including 14 children, have died in flash flooding in south-central Texas, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said at a news conference Saturday.
Leitha said about 27 girls are still missing at Camp Mystic in Kerr County, Texas, but authorities don't yet know how many others may be missing.
The destructive, fast-moving floodwaters rose 26 feet (8 meters) in just 45 minutes before dawn Friday, sweeping away homes and vehicles.
The danger continues as torrential rains continued to pound communities outside San Antonio Saturday, and flash flood watches and warnings remain in effect.
The sheriff's office, Kerr police and firefighters, and other emergency crews continue search and rescue operations along the Guadalupe River, Sheriff Leitha said.
"We're not going to stop until we find everyone," said Leitha, who said he has all the necessary resources for the operation now.
Search area for survivors expands
As floodwaters recede in Central Texas, ground crews may discover and search additional areas, Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd said.
"The entire river is being searched, from the northernmost point all the way to the end of the river. There are air personnel still searching. There are boats in the water searching. And there are ground crews as well," Kidd said.
Dogs are also helping search riverbanks where people may be missing, Kidd said. The teams are assigned to different areas and will report back to command if they find anyone, he added.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott He stressed the urgency of finding survivors of the devastating floods during a news conference Saturday and said he is instructing all involved state agencies to prioritize lifesaving operations. "My instruction to all involved state agencies is to assume that all missing persons are alive," Abbott said. "And it takes speed; not just every hour, every minute counts. That's why there are people in the air, on the water, and on the ground right now, because they are looking to save every last life." President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social networking site that Noem would be traveling to the affected area and that his administration is working with local and state representatives on the ground in Texas to respond to the tragic flooding.