Hundreds of rescuers are searching for missing people in central Texas in the United States after flash floods killed 51 people, including 15 children.
The hardest-hit area is Kerr County, where 43 people have died and 27 children remain missing from a Christian youth camp located along the Guadalupe River.
"The work continues and will continue until everyone is found," promised Larry Leitha, the Kerry County sheriff.
Victims have also been confirmed in other parts of the state, including Travis and Tom Green counties.
The level of the destructive, fast-moving waters rose by about 8 meters in the Guadalupe River in just 45 minutes before dawn on Friday, flooding homes and vehicles.
The danger is not over yet, as rain continued to pound communities near San Antonio on Saturday, and flash flood warnings remained in effect.
Rescuers used helicopters, boats and drones to search for victims and rescue people trapped in trees or in camps isolated from destroyed roads.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott promised that authorities would work around the clock and said new areas were being checked as the water receded. He declared Sunday a day of prayer for the state.
"I urge every Texan to join me in praying this Sunday for the lives lost, for those still missing, for the recovery of our communities, and for the safety of those on the front lines," he said in a statement.
Elinor Lester, a 13-year-old girl, said that "the camp was completely destroyed."
She was one of hundreds of summer camp participants who were hit by the floods.
"A helicopter landed and started picking up people. It was very scary," she said.
State emergency management officials had warned as early as Thursday that west and central Texas would face heavy rainfall and the risk of flooding over the coming days.
However, the forecasts “did not predict the amount of rainfall we saw,” said W. Nim Kidd, director of the Texas Emergency Management Agency, at a news conference Friday evening. /REL
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