Dozens of people are dead in central Texas in what officials called a "mass casualty event" after devastating flash floods slammed Hill Country, with water rescues taking place along the Guadalupe River. While state officials couldn't confirm an exact number of those unaccounted for at this point, they said between 23 and 25 people remain missing.

About 24 fatalities have been reported so far, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said Friday during an evening news conference, alongside Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and several other officials.

"Within 45 minutes, the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet and it was a destructive flood — taking property and sadly lives," Patrick said earlier during a news conference Friday afternoon, adding that they got 12 inches or more of rain per hour.

Later Friday night, Patrick said there hadn't been "a drop of rain until the tragedy struck" earlier in the day.

Damaged vehicles and debris are seen roped off near the banks of the Guadalupe River after flooding in Ingram, Texas, Friday, July 4, 2025. / Credit: Michel Fortier/The San Antonio Express-News via AP

A raging Guadalupe River leaves fallen trees and debris in its wake, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas. / Credit: Eric Gay / AP

There are hundreds of people on the ground from various units helping with search and rescue operations, Patrick said, including swimmers in the water, 12 drones and 14 helicopters.

Texas issued flash flood emergencies in five counties in West Texas on Friday as Hill Country continues to be slammed by severe rain and flooding. Between 5 and 11 inches of rain have fallen in northwestern Bandera County, Central Kerr County, Northeastern Tom Green County, East Central Kerr County and West Central Kendall County, according to the National Weather Service.

A helicopter flies over the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas. / Credit: Eric Gay / AP

First responders scan the banks of the Guadalupe River for individuals swept away by flooding in Ingram, Texas, Friday, July 4, 2025. / Credit: Michel Fortier/The San Antonio Express-News via AP

About 23 to 25 people still unaccounted for at Camp Mystic

Officials said Friday night between 23 and 25 people remain unaccounted for from Camp Mystic.

Earlier Friday, Patrick addressed parents of children at Camp Mystic, where there were about 750 children at summer camp when the floods hit. The lieutenant governor, who was acting as governor while Gov. Greg Abbott is on vacation, said around 20 children were unaccounted for on Friday. He said they are praying for all those missing "to be found alive."

"If they are alive and safe, we will find them and bring them home to you," Patrick said.

Families line up at a reunification center after flash flooding it the area, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Ingram, Texas. / Credit: Eric Gay / AP

The camp said in a statement, read by Patrick, that there has been a "catastrophic level" of flooding.

Patrick said Camp Mystic is an all-girls summer camp in the area that has several camps with thousands of children attending for the summer. The camp said they have no power, no water and no Wi-Fi , adding that "the highway has washed away, so we are struggling to get more help."

A flood gauge marks the height of water flowing over a farm-to-market road near Kerrville, Texas, on Friday, July 4, 2025. / Credit: Eric Gay / AP

Earlier Friday, the city of Kerrville, Texas, said in a social media post, "Search and recovery efforts are ongoing and will increase as the waters recede."

Water rescues continue along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, with a number of local and regional emergency service organizations taking part, the city said. The Guadalupe River at Hunt reached its second-highest height on record, higher than the famous 1987 flood, the city said, citing the National Weather Service.

A man surveys damage left by a raging Guadalupe River, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas. / Credit: Eric Gay / AP

Sen. Ted Cruz said in a statement posted to social media, "Please pray right now for everyone in the Hill Country, especially Camp Mystic." He said multiple helicopters are performing search and rescue, and added that he's spoken with Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov Patrick, the head of the Texas Division of Emergency Management and President Trump.

"President Trump committed ANYTHING Texas needs," Cruz said.

Abbott said the state has mobilized resources to assist those dealing with the floods.

"Texas is providing all necessary resources to Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt and the entire Texas Hill Country dealing with these devastating floods," Abbott said Friday in a statement. "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."