At least 13 people have died and around 20 children remain unaccounted for following severe flooding in Kerr County, Texas, after heavy rains caused rivers to rise rapidly, overwhelming several summer camps and communities.

Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who is currently acting as governor, said the Guadalupe River swelled by 26 feet in just 45 minutes, causing what he described as a “destructive flood, taking property and sadly lives.”

At a news conference on Friday, he confirmed that 13 fatalities had been recorded and more people were still missing.

Patrick read a statement from Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp hosting about 750 children, where he said a “catastrophic level” of flooding was reported. He confirmed that 20 children from the camp were missing but urged calm, explaining that some of them could simply be out of communication.

“That does not mean [the missing children] have been lost. They could be out of communication,” he said, assuring parents that if they hadn’t been contacted, their children were accounted for.

Patrick further shared that the state had mobilised a large rescue effort involving 14 helicopters, 12 drones, nine rescue teams, and trained swimmers, with between 400 and 500 personnel on the ground.

He added that while the public had offered private helicopters and drones, no additional equipment was needed.

Search operations were set to continue through the night, according to officials. The floods struck an area dense with summer camps, which typically host thousands of children during the 4 July holiday weekend.

“We have not had reports from other camps at this point of a loss, but that does not mean there has not been,” said Patrick.

A disaster declaration was issued for the Hill Country and Concho Valley regions, which saw intense rainfall in a short period, leading to dangerous flash floods. In Kerr County, the sheriff’s office reported major flooding, missing persons, and confirmed fatalities.

Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly responded to questions about why the camps weren’t evacuated earlier.

“We didn’t know this flood was coming. Rest assured, no one knew this kind of flood was coming,” he said. Kelly also pointed out that the county lacks a flood warning system, despite being prone to flooding.

“What happened today far surpassed the flood of 1987,” he added, referencing the tragic incident where 10 teenagers were killed on a church camp bus near the town of Comfort.

Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring echoed these concerns, stating there had been no clear indication of such a devastating flood, as reported by The Kerrville Daily Times.

Emergency teams have been conducting rescues and evacuations since early Friday morning, while authorities warn that more flash flooding could occur.

Governor Greg Abbott, currently on vacation, said Texas was deploying “all necessary resources” to support the affected towns of Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt, and the wider Texas Hill Country region.

Photos from the area show flooded bridges and fast-moving waters surging down roads. “Folks, please don’t take chances. Stay alert, follow local emergency warnings, and do not drive through flooded roads,” warned Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller.

The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office has asked residents living near creeks, streams, and the Guadalupe River to seek higher ground. On social media, especially in the Kerrville Breaking News group on Facebook, families have shared posts in search of loved ones.

One mother said she had not heard from her daughter and son-in-law whose home was swept away. In Austin, a woman reported her grandparents living along the river had also gone silent.

In a separate weather incident, authorities in New Jersey confirmed that three people died after severe thunderstorms and heavy rains on Thursday night.

Two men, aged 79 and 25, died when a tree fell on their car in Plainfield, while a 44-year-old woman was killed when another tree struck her vehicle in North Plainfield.