At least 24 people have died, and more than 20 children from a summer camp are missing after torrential rain triggered deadly floods along the Guadalupe River in the US state of Texas.
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 the 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 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.
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!"
The camp director said the site had "sustained a catastrophic level of flooding."
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.
Roughly 500 rescue workers and 14 helicopters have been deployed. The Texas National Guard, US Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are assisting in search and rescue efforts.
