Helicopters with hoists were used to rescue survivors, including people from trees, officials said. Adjutant General of Texas Major General Thomas Suelzer said that by Friday night 237 people had been rescued, 167 of whom were brought to safety by helicopter.
More than 400 people were on the ground responding to the disaster, Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick said.
The Department of Homeland Security said the U.S. Coast Guard and Federal Emergency Management Agency had been activated. Patrick said he had been in contact with President Donald Trump.
Trump called the floods “terrible” when asked by reporters about the situation Friday night on Air Force One, and he said the U.S. government will help.
“We’re working with the governor. It’s a terrible thing,” he said.
Helicopters Friday transported children from Camp Mystic to safety Friday, video from NBC affiliate WOAI of San Antonio showed.
Texas Game Wardens said on Facebook Friday evening: “Have made entry into Camp Mystic with vehicles and are beginning to bring campers out!”
Patrick said that even though around 20 children were unaccounted for, “that does not mean they’ve been lost.”
“They could be in a tree. They could be out of communication,” he said. “We’re praying for all of those missing to