43 dead, 19 from Houston presumed missing following devastating central Texas flood
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KTRK) -- The death toll from devastating floods in central Texas has risen to 43, Kerr County Sheriff Larry L. Leitha told reporters during a news conference Friday evening.
Of that total, 28 adults and 15 children are among the dead.
According to officials, the Guadalupe River, near Hunt and Kerrville, rose to 26 feet in 45 minutes as heavy rain pummeled the area. The river reached its second-highest height on record, surpassing a 1987 flood level, the National Weather Service said.
WATCH: Video shows the moment flash floodwaters transformed the dry Guadalupe River into a raging stream in just minutes
Family members confirm with ABC13 that as of Saturday evening, at least 19 people from the Houston area are missing in the wake of floods.
John Burgess IV, 39, of Liberty, was confirmed dead. Family said his wife, Julia, and sons Jack, 5, and James, 1, were still unaccounted for.
In a message to parents, The Kinkaid School said that one of its students and a recent Kinkaid graduate were among the missing. Third-grader Margaret Sheedy was attending Camp Mystic, while 18-year-old Chloe Childress was serving as a counselor there.
Kerr County Sheriff Leitha said that up to 25 of Camp Mystic's 750 campers are still unaccounted for.
Friday, Memorial Lutheran School confirmed that one of its students, Blakely McCrory, is among the missing from Camp Mystic.
"That does not mean they've been lost -- they could be in a tree, they could be out of communication. We are praying for all of those missing to be found alive," Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said at a news conference.
Camp Mystic said in a letter to parents, "If your daughter is not accounted for, you have been notified. If you have not been personally contacted, then your daughter is accounted for."
Several Houston-area families tell ABC13 that their loved ones were staying at RV parks when floodwaters carried them away.
Rob and Melissa Kamin of Atascocita were last seen at the HTR TX Hill Country campground in Ingram, Texas.
Relatives said Kingwood Park High School teacher Jeff Wilson, his wife Amber, and their 12-year-old son Shiloh went missing from that same RV park.
League City volunteer firefighter Brad Perry is also missing from an RV park, his father confirmed.
All areas near and surrounding the river, creeks, and streams were urged to evacuate and reach higher ground immediately.
Multiple videos posted across social media showed several feet of water submerging roads and highways. In one video, an SUV can be seen on the edge of a ravine, tipping over.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the state remains in a search-and-rescue posture hours after devastating flooding tore through parts of Hill Country.
SEE ALSO: Houston-area first responders deploy to help with Central Texas flood recovery
He said two state search and rescue teams, the Texas National Guard, and a host of other agencies are continuing to conduct rescues Friday night.
"Texas is providing all necessary resources to Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt, and the entire Texas Hill Country dealing with these devastating floods," Gov. Abbott said. "The State of Texas today has mobilized additional resources in addition to the resources sent in preparation for the storms. I urge Texans to heed guidance from state and local officials and monitor local forecasts to avoid driving into flooded areas."
The Houston Fire Department has also been deployed to assist in search and rescue efforts.
The state called on at least five groups of first responders from the Houston area to lend a hand in the devastating flooding.
So far, teams from the Houston Fire Department, Cypress Creek, Galveston County, New Waverly, and Montgomery County have deployed.
HFD District Chief Joshua Vogel is one of four members of the Wildland Group that is deploying. He said they received a call around 11 a.m. and were on the road by 3 p.m.
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