'This is the most dangerous river valley in the United States': At least 13 dead, including children, in Texas floods

Devastating floods caused by torrential rains have left at least 13 people dead, including children, and about 20 others missing in the southern Texas city of Texas , local authorities announced Friday. "So far, we have 13 deaths," Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha, in central Texas, said at a press conference. There will likely be "more" victims "when this is all over," the official added.

Texas Deputy Governor Dan Patrick had previously reported a death toll of six to ten, including children, and about twenty missing. "We have not heard from about twenty" children out of the approximately 750 who were attending a girls' summer camp, Patrick said at a press conference. "That doesn't mean they are among the victims; they could be in a tree or out of communication," he added.

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The deputy governor read to the press a message from the summer camp director saying they had suffered "catastrophic flooding" and had "no electricity, no water, no Wi-Fi." According to authorities, the level of the Guadalupe River, which runs through the area, rose about eight meters in 45 minutes during which "nearly 300 millimeters/hour" of rain fell, a third of the county's average annual rainfall. Videos posted on social media showed homes and trees swept away by the flooding.

Kerr County official Rob Kelly noted the sudden nature of the flooding, which occurred around 4 a.m. in a region accustomed to such events. "We have flooding all the time. This is the most dangerous river valley in the United States," he said. But "we had no reason to believe it was going to be anything like what happened."

Texas Governor Greg Abbott shared a video on X showing a rescuer hanging from a helicopter above rushing waters rescuing a treetop victim. "Air rescue missions like this are conducted 24 hours a day. We will not rest until everyone is accounted for," the governor said.

About 500 rescuers and 14 helicopters were deployed, while the Texas National Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard sent reinforcements. "The rain has subsided, but we know another wave is coming," warned Texas Public Safety Director Freeman Martin, noting that rainfall was also expected in the San Antonio and Austin areas.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Guadalupe River rose sharply overnight, from 2 meters to more than 9 meters, following the rainfall. The weather service issued a flood warning for south-central Kerr County, urging residents to avoid travel and those living near the Guadalupe River to move "to higher ground." In mid-June, at least 10 people died due to flooding in San Antonio, also in Texas, following torrential rains.