Photo: Eric Vryn / Getty Images News / Getty Images
The search continues for more than two dozen children who went missing after a flash flood swept through a youth camp in Texas.
The flooding, which occurred early Friday (July 4), has claimed the lives of at least 59 people, including 21 children in Kerr County. 4 people also died in Travis County and 3 died in Burnet County.
In Kerr County, the Guadalupe River, which rose over 26 feet in just 45 minutes, caused widespread devastation, destroying homes and vehicles.
Many people still remain unaccounted for. Among the missing are children who were attending Camp Mystic, a girls' summer camp near the river. Search and rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate the 11 children and a camp counselor who remain unaccounted for. Ten people are also missing in Travis County and three are missing in Williamson County.
The Trump administration has approved a federal disaster declaration to provide relief to the affected areas, following a request from Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
Volunteers from across the country, including the Cajun Navy, have joined the search efforts. Ryan Logue, a volunteer with the Cajun Navy, praised the grassroots efforts and emphasized the unity among Texans during this crisis.
Pope Leo expressed his condolences to the victims' families, especially those who lost children at the camp. Meanwhile, survivors like Ricky Gonzalez recounted harrowing experiences of narrowly escaping the rising waters. Gonzalez and his friends were rescued by a passing family after their Airbnb flooded.
Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem traveled to Texas and said President Trump is monitoring the tragedy. Noem also said the Coast Guard is assisting in search and recovery efforts and the President was vowing to support Texas in any way needed.
For those wanting to donate to help the victims, donations are being made to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund with The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country.