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

Kerr County was hit the hardest, with at least 106 deaths.

Over 130 people are dead from the devastating flooding in the Texas Hill Country.

Kerr County was hit the hardest, with at least 106 deaths, including 36 children. President Donald Trump signed a disaster declaration for the county and the Federal Emergency Management Agency is on the ground there.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing.


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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.


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.


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.


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.

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.