At least 24 killed during catastrophic flash flooding in Central Texas with dozens unaccounted for

Guadalupe River in Texas reaches major flood stage at nearly 30 feet

Historic rain slammed the city of Kerrville, Texas, Friday morning. Footage shot from a bridge overlooking the Guadalupe River, which runs through Kerrville, shows the river surging with floodwater . NOAA river gauges show the Guadalupe River was at nearly 30 feet.

KERRVILLE, Texas – Central Texas was hit by historic rain on Friday morning, triggering a "deadly flood wave," and leading to four Flash Flood Emergencies amid widespread high-water and home rescues throughout the affected areas.

Officials in Kerr County say they have found multiple bodies so far and put the number of fatalities at around 24, with the death toll expected to rise in the coming days.

Victims were reported to be adults and children, with around 2 dozen still missing after the catastrophic flooding.

"This is a catastrophic flooding event in Kerr County," the Kerr County Sheriff's Office said.

Among the missing are some children who were attending a summer camp. A letter to parents from Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp for girls located 18 miles from Kerrvile in Hunt, said they had experienced "catastrophic level" floods. While two of the groups have been fully accounted for, the letter stated "if your daughter is not accounted for, you have been notified." 

The camp says they've lost power, water, and Wifi and the highway has washed away, leaving them struggling to get help.

"Please continue to pray and send any help if you have contacts to do so," the letter concluded.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared a disaster declaration for more than a dozen counties in the Texas Hill Country. 

According to Texas authorities, nearly 300 people have been rescued, but the exact number of those needing help is unknown because of the many parks and recreational areas along the Guadalupe River.

'We didn't know this flood was coming'

The FOX Forecast Center said the first Flash Flood Emergency was issued near San Angelo after 12-15 inches of rain was reported and flooding was ongoing.

"Automated rain gauges indicate a large and deadly flood wave is moving down the Guadalupe River," the National Weather Service (NWS) warned in issuing their Flash Flood Emergency. "Flash flooding is already occurring. This is a Flash Flood Emergency for the Guadalupe River from Center Point to Sisterdale. This is a particularly dangerous situation. Seek higher ground now!"

Texas Flash Flood Emergency prompts rescues along riverbanks

Heavy rainfall led to flash flooding throughout the south-central Texas town of Kerrville on Friday morning. Local reports say rescuers were called to assist people stranded on rooftops and to investigate a home swept away by the swollen river.

Another was issued near Kerrville after the Guadalupe River rose over 20 feet in just an hour at Kerrville and 26.7 feet in just 45 minutes at Comfort, Texas. 

"We didn't know this flood was coming," Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said during a late Friday morning press conference. "Rest assured, no one knew this kind of flood was coming."

Over 7 inches of rain in six hours was reported in Kerr County. In Brady, water reached homes and rescues took place. The NWS said the river has reached the second-highest height on record, higher than the famous 1987 flood.

The Guadalupe River rose several feet in only a few short hours early Friday morning.

(FOX Weather)

"All Kerrville residents who live near the Guadalupe River are urged to evacuate now," Kerrville police said. "This is a life-threatening event. Do not wait." 

A nearby Walmart has been established as a shelter.

The Kerr County sheriff's office said they are working with a wide variety of local and state agencies to respond to calls and rescues. 

"The entire county is an extremely active scene," deputies said. "Residents are encouraged to shelter in place and not attempt travel. Those near creeks, streams, and the Guadalupe River should immediately move to higher ground."

San Angelo officials said there's a 2-mile-wide area of town that has been "greatly affected" by catastrophic flooding. Emergency crews are still combing the area looking for people in distress.

The city's dispatch center received over 100 calls for help and water rescues just between 5-6 a.m. Friday.

Flood Watches have been posted across West Texas and parts of New Mexico through Friday where some locations could see 3-5 additional inches of rain.

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The culprit? A stationary front that is continued to be draped across the region, sparking the chance of storms, the FOX Forecast Center said. There is also an upper-level disturbance moving through the Four Corners that will also aide with lift.

The latest catastrophic event is similar to flash flooding that impacted the region more than 35 years ago.

Slow-moving thunderstorms in mid-July 1987 caused significant flooding along the Guadalupe River, which resulted in the deaths of around a dozen people, with dozens of others injured.