At least 51 people have been confirmed dead after powerful flash floods swept through central Texas early Friday, triggered by heavy overnight rainfall that caused the Guadalupe River to overflow.

 

The worst-hit area is Kerr County, where floodwaters surged through communities around 4 a.m., claiming the lives of at least 43 people, including 15 children and 28 adults, according to Sheriff Larry Leitha. Identification is still pending for five children and 12 adults.

 

Additional fatalities were reported across the region: one person died in Kendall County, four in Travis County, two in Burnet County, and another in San Angelo, located in Tom Green County.

 

Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, with dozens still missing. Among them are 27 girls from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County.

 

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said emergency crews have rescued hundreds so far and vowed that operations would continue around the clock to locate those still unaccounted for.