Texas flood: Death toll rises to 43, including 15 children, search for missing campers continues

Texas flood disaster (AFP)

The death toll from the catastrophic flooding in central Texas climbed to 43 on Saturday, including 15 children, according to Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha. Search efforts remain underway for numerous missing individuals, particularly a group of girls unaccounted for after a flash flood struck their summer camp.

Emergency crews spent Saturday combing through devastated riverbanks, now strewn with uprooted trees, overturned vehicles, and layers of mud and debris.

"We have recovered 43 deceased individuals in Kerr County. Among these who are deceased we have 28 adults and 15 children," the sheriff of the flood-ravaged region said in a press conference.

The floodwaters surged 26 feet (8 metres) in just 45 minutes before sunrise on Friday, sweeping away homes and vehicles. The threat isn’t over, as heavy rain continued to pound areas near San Antonio on Saturday, with flash flood warnings still in effect.

Rescuers have been using helicopters, boats, and drones to search for victims and help people trapped in trees or stranded at isolated camps.