UPDATE 18:35 (GMT-5): Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared Sunday, July 6, a Day of Prayer to honor and stand with the Texans impacted by the devastating floods sweeping the state.
UPDATE 18:26 (GMT-5): Death toll rises to 43 in Kerr County after severe flooding in Texas.
The fatalities include 28 adults and 15 children, Leitha said at a news conference Saturday. The sheriff added five children and 12 adults have yet to be identified.
Initial report:
By Saturday, volunteer rescuers were forced to begin the grim task of retrieving bodies—both children and adults—who were tragically swept away by a sudden flash flood in Central Texas. This human calamity struck after a ferocious storm unleashed devastating torrents that claimed dozens of lives.
At a tense afternoon briefing, officials confirmed at least 32 fatalities, including 14 children, with 27 people still missing. Nim Kidd, head of Texas Emergency Management, candidly admitted that chances of finding survivors were dwindling.
But Governor Greg Abbott, showing Texas grit and faith, insisted every missing person must be presumed alive until proven otherwise.
Particularly chilling: about two dozen young campers from Camp Mystic—a Christian summer retreat on the Guadalupe River—are missing.
Torrential rainfall