Hundreds of rescuers are continuing to search for survivors in central Texas, following a flash flood that has so far killed 51 people, including 15 children. Kerr County remains the worst-affected area, with 43 reported dead and 27 children from a Christian youth camp still unaccounted for.
The children were part of a large all-girls’ summer camp called Camp Mystic, located along the banks of the Guadalupe River. Many were sleeping when the river rose more than 26 feet (eight metres) in less than an hour in the early hours of Friday.
A large number of the missing girls are under the age of 12, according to Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.
Photos of the camp show it in disarray, with blankets, mattresses, teddy bears and other belongings caked in mud.
Camp Mystic has sent an email to the parents of the roughly 750 campers, saying that if they had not been contacted directly, their child had been accounted for.
Rachel Reed drove five hours from Dallas to pick up her daughter and told the BBC that members of her Church and children’s school district were among the missing.
“The families of those campers are living every parent’s worst nightmare,” she said. “Of course, it could have been me.”
Nine-year-old Renee Smajstrla was confirmed to be among the dead by her uncle.
“Renee has been found and while not the outcome we prayed for, the social media outreach likely assisted the first responders in helping to identify her so quickly,” Shawn Salta wrote on Facebook.
“We are thankful she was with her friends and having the time of her life.”
A special Mass will be held at Notre Dame Catholic Church on Sunday for those who have dies or are still missing, and their families.
Authorities said about 850 people had been rescued, with more than 1,700 people involved in the search-and-rescue operation.
Searchers used helicopters and drones to look for victims and rescue people stranded by flood waters.
Forecasters have warned that central Texas may see more flooding this weekend, with multiple warnings still in place.
