Texas flooding updates: Over 130 dead as flash flood threat increases in Texas

The U.S. Coast Guard is helping to evacuate people in central Texas from catastrophic flooding.

The Coast Guard "is punching through storms to evacuate Americans from central Texas," Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said in a post on X.

"We will fly throughout the night and as long as possible," she said.

In an earlier post, Noem said she had activated the Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to respond to the situation.

Amid devastating flooding in Texas, first responders are working to rescue those stranded by the floodwaters.

Evacuations of camps near the Guadalupe River were ongoing Friday afternoon, said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who is performing the duties of the governor.

There are 14 helicopters in the air, 12 drones and nine rescue teams. Swimmers are in the water rescuing children and adults who escaped the floodwaters by climbing trees, Patrick said.

Children account for some of those dead in catastrophic Texas flooding, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told reporters Friday.

There are several major camps in the area near the Guadalupe River that has been overtaken by floodwaters and at one of them -- Camp Mystic -- about 23 of its 750 campers are unaccounted for, Patrick said.

"That does not mean they've been lost -- they could be in a tree, they could be out of communication. We are praying for all of those missing to be found alive," Patrick said at a news conference.

Camp Mystic said in a letter to parents, "If your daughter is not accounted for, you have been notified. If you have not been personally contacted, then your daughter is accounted for."

At least 13 people are confirmed dead after catastrophic flooding in Kerr County, Texas, Sheriff Larry L. Leitha told reporters at a news conference Friday.

Up to 12 inches of rain has already fallen in Kerr County, about 60 miles north of San Antonio, with more rain expected through the evening.