Texas flooding updates: Abbott says 850 rescued as 27 still missing

_{Jul 5, 7:12 PM}

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha provided an update on the flood damage in his area during a news conference and said the death toll rose to 43 people as of 7 p.m. ET.

"Among these who are deceased, we have 28 adults and 15 children," he said.

Leitha said five children and 12 adults are pending identification.

"I assure you we're going to do everything along with our partners, and we'll be on this till we find the last body," he said.

_{Jul 5, 4:47 PM}

32 dead, including 14 children, in catastrophic flooding

At least 32 people are dead, including 14 children, Texas officials said Saturday. Officials are still searching for 27 people who are missing.

"My instruction to every state official involved is to assume everybody who is missing is alive, and there's a need for speed. Not just every hour, every minute counts, which is why there's people in the air, people in the water, people at the ground right now because they're looking to save every last life and we will not give up that effort," Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said at a press conference.

Search and rescue teams are continuing to search for live victims, officials said.

_{Jul 5, 4:33 PM}

More than 850 people rescued in last 36 hours

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott commended rescue workers who have saved over 850 people in the last 36 hours, including people who were "clinging to trees to save their lives," he said.

"What has happened over the past 36 hours is really amazing when you look at what the local officials have done, working and collaborating with multiple state agencies as well as our federal partners," Abbott said.

Rodolfo Gonzalez/AP - PHOTO: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Gov. Greg Abbott, speak during a news conference in Ingram, Texas, on July 5, 2025, as Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief, Nim Kidd, left, looks on.

_{Jul 5, 4:27 PM}

Abbott signs expanded disaster declaration adding more counties impacted by flooding

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed an expanded emergency declaration that added Texas counties impacted by the disastrous flooding. The new declaration now includes Bexar, Burnet, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Travis and Williamson counties, Abbott said at a press conference Saturday afternoon.

"We will be relentless and going after and ensuring that we locate every single person who's been a victim of this flooding event. We're not going to stop today or tomorrow. We will stop when the job is completed," Abbott said.

Abbott also signed a request for a federal emergency declaration.

"Know that President Trump is absolutely heartbroken by what has happened here in Texas, and the loss of life is absolutely devastating to him and Melania," Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said at the press conference.

_{Jul 5, 3:51 PM}

Dangerous flash flood threat persists in central Texas

Areas of heavy rain and the threat of dangerous flash flooding continues to impact parts of central Texas Saturday afternoon as the area recovers from Friday morning’s deadly flash flooding along the Guadalupe River.

For the second night in a row, another significant and dangerous flash flood event unfolded in the region. This time, about 100 miles northeast from yesterday’s catastrophic event.

A Flash Flood Emergency continues for much of Burnet County, Texas, as well as western parts of Williamson and Travis Counties until 4 p.m. CT.

Rodolfo Gonzalez/AP - PHOTO: Crews work to clear debris from the Cade Loop bridge along the Guadalupe River on July 5, 2025, in Ingram, Texas.

Up to a foot of rain has fallen in this area triggering major flash flooding. There have been reports of numerous road closures in the area, according to the National Weather Service.

The flash flood threat will finally diminish Saturday night with all Flood Watches expiring between 7 to 10 p.m. CT, depending on location.

_{Jul 5, 3:31 PM}

Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly was pressed by a reporter as to why evacuations didn't take place Thursday, but the judge said, "We didn't know this flood was coming." Officials said the county does not have a warning system on the river.

"We have floods all the time. This is the most dangerous river valley in the United States, and we deal with floods on a regular basis. When it rains, we get water. We had no reason to believe that this was going to be anything like what's happened here, none whatsoever," he said.

Julio Cortez/AP - PHOTO: A Texas State Police armored vehicle rolls by a damaged gas pump at a gas station along the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area, July 5, 2025, in Hunt, Texas.

Rain continued to hit the region Saturday, prompting flash flood emergency warnings for much of Burnet County and western parts of Williamson County and Travis County.

_{Jul 5, 11:44 AM}

Trump says his administration is working with Texas officials in response to the flooding

President Donald Trump said his administration is working with state and local officials in Texas in response to the flooding that occurred on Friday, he said in a post on social media.

Trump also said that Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem will arrive in Texas on Saturday in response to the flooding.

Julio Cortez/AP - PHOTO: Officials comb through the banks of the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area, July 5, 2025, in Hunt, Texas.

"Melania and I are praying for all of the families impacted by this horrible tragedy. Our Brave First Responders are on site doing what they do best," Trump said.

-ABC News' Hannah Demissie

_{Jul 5, 11:24 AM}

27 people dead, including 9 children

At least 27 people are dead, including nine children, after heavy rain caused catastrophic flooding in Texas.

Officials are still searching for 24 girls missing from Camp Mystic, an all girls camp along the Guadalupe River, Dalton Rice, manager of the city of Kerrville, Texas, said at a press conference Saturday.

Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: A photo shows flooding caused by a flash flood at the Guadalupe River in Kerrville, Texas, on July 5, 2025.

While search and rescue operations remain ongoing, officials said they do not have an accurate count of how many people are missing and said they would not provide an estimate.

Rice said rescues are occurring from camps that were isolated because of road damage.

_{Jul 5, 4:28 AM}

Flash flood emergency issued near Lake Travis

A flash flood emergency has been issued by the National Weather Service for northwestern Travis County and far eastern Burnet County around Lake Travis in south-central Texas until 5 a.m. CT.

Between 3 inches and 7 inches of rain have fallen in the area north of Lake Travis, the service said. Some spots measured over 10 inches of rain over the past few hours, with peak rainfall rates reaching 6 inches per hour.

ABC News - PHOTO: An ABC News graphic shows an area in Texas under flash flood warnings and flood watches on Saturday, July 5, 2025.

Rainfall of up to 5 inches was still expected in some areas. The service described the local weather as a "particularly dangerous situation," a high-level warning that carries urgency.

"Seek higher ground now!" forecasters said.

-ABC News' Kyle Reiman

_{Jul 5, 2:38 AM}

Texas flood deaths 'shocking,' Trump says

President Donald Trump described the flooding in Texas and subsequent deaths as "terrible," adding that he's working with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to coordinate possible federal aid and to mitigate the damage.

"They don't know the answer yet as to how many people, but it looks like some young people have died," Trump said Friday on Air Force One, referring to the deaths as "shocking."

Jacquelyn Martin/AP - PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks to reporters on board Air Force One, en route from Joint Base Andrews, Md., to Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, N.J., Friday, July 4, 2025.

Asked if the federal government will send federal aid, the president replied, "Oh yeah, we'll take care of it. We're working with the governor."

-ABC News' Emily Chang