'Catastrophic flooding event' in Kerr County: 24 dead, several others still missing

KERRVILLE, Texas - The Kerr County Sheriff's Office is calling flooding in Kerr County "catastrophic."

According to officials in a Friday night press conference, several people are missing and there are at least 24 deaths.

The victims will not be identified at this time.

Search and rescue efforts will continue until everyone is accounted for, officials said.

Gov. Abbott signed a state disaster declaration for several counties in the Hill Country. He also said officials from the federal government have called him to offer assistance. 

The Texas National Guard said more than 200 people were rescued or evacuated, including over 150 by helicopter. 

The head of the Texas Division of Emergency Management said crews were in place ahead of the flood, but the rainfall in that area was higher than forecasted.

Friday night, officials said they are still concerned about the impact of more rain that has been forecasted.

Kerr County flooding

What we know:

Kerr County Sheriff's Office says it will not release any specific information about fatalities until next of kin are notified. 

County officials said several people are missing, including at least 20 campers from a girls-only camp, according to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

It says it is working with a wide variety of local and state agencies to respond to calls and rescues.

Local perspective:

"I grew up here, and I have never seen anything like this in my life," said Kerrville resident Brooklyn Johnson. "I am very grateful and very glad that nothing of mine got damaged, or my family didn't get hurt. They are all safe."

Kerrville resident Amanda Vlasek says she grew up with one of the victims.

"I went to high school with him, and he lost his life this morning. He saved his family. He got them out, but he didn't make it. Kids are missing. It is scary. I’m glad it is not my family. I feel for them," says Kerrville resident Amanda Vlasek.

Destruction and damage from the downpour could be seen along the Guadalupe River. Cars and homes were destroyed.

"It is horrible. I haven't seen it this bad," says Vlasek.

The mayor of Kerrville has made a disaster declaration for the severe flooding.

"It is very sad, very tragic and obviously praying for the families," says Johnson.

Where are the emergency shelters?

Kerr County

• Comfort High SchoolFunction: Primary shelter and reunification centerLocation: 201 Hwy 87, Comfort, TXStatus: Open — accepting evacuees from Hunt, Center Point, and Comfort
• First United Methodist Church – KerrvilleFunction: Overnight shelter and distribution siteLocation: 321 Thompson Dr, Kerrville, TXStatus: Open — serving evacuees from the upper Guadalupe River valley
• Walmart Parking Lot – Kerrville (Hwy 27)Function: Staging zone for EMS and public reunificationLocation: 1216 Junction Hwy, Kerrville, TXStatus: Open — functioning as a mobile command and rendezvous point

Llano County

• First Baptist Church – KingslandFunction: Shelter and medical triage pointLocation: 3435 RR 1431, Kingsland, TXStatus: Open — supporting evacuees from Kingsland and Llano River region
• Lakeshore Library Parking Lot (Kingsland)Function: Temporary staging for Coast Guard & TX Search and RescueLocation: 7346 RR 261, Kingsland, TXStatus: Restricted — EMS/military use only

San Angelo / Tom Green County

• PaulAnn Church – San AngeloFunction: Full-service shelter, food/water station, and reunification pointLocation: 2531 Smith Blvd, San Angelo, TXStatus: Open — housing families displaced by Concho River flooding
• Tom Green County 4-H / AgriLife CenterFunction: Large-animal staging and multi-agency logistics hubLocation: 113 W. Beauregard Ave, San Angelo, TXStatus: Open — not accepting public evacuees

Guadalupe / Comal Counties

• Community Bible Church – SchertzFunction: Overflow shelter for I-35 corridor flood victimsLocation: 1735 N Loop 1604 E, San Antonio, TX (serving Schertz area)Status: Open — limited capacity as of last report

Gillespie / Blanco Counties (Support only)

• Fredericksburg High School (PREP)Function: Standby support shelterLocation: 1107 Hwy 16 S, Fredericksburg, TXStatus: On standby — activated if Llano overflow spreads southeast

Special Populations Support

• CelesteCare Llano and Autumn Winds Schertz report staff are sheltering in place with backup power. EMS contacts are established.

The Red Cross is assisting with reunification efforts. Call 1-800-733-2767 if you are trying to locate someone.

Multiple roads and streets are flooding and are flooded in town including:

• Arcadia Loop
• Most of Thompson Drive
• Guadalupe Street
• Lowry Street
• Herzog and Loop 13
• Rio Robles
• Riverside Drive
• Portions of Broadway

The mayor of Kerrville has made a disaster declaration.

Kerrville Fire Department personnel are monitoring area nursing and assisted living homes as they are sheltering in place at this time.

Kerr County girls camp evacuated due to flooding

FOX 7 Austin reporting partner KSAT reports that Camp Mystic, a girls-only camp on the Guadalupe River, had to be evacuated due to the flooding.

The camp is located west of Kerrville.

While the majority of campers have been accounted for, at a news conference, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says at least 20 campers are missing.

Governor Abbott releases statement on flooding

Governor Greg Abbott released a statement about the Hill Country flooding. It is as follows:

"Texas is providing all necessary resources to Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt and the entire Texas Hill Country dealing with these devastating floods."

"The State of Texas today has mobilized additional resources in addition to the resources sent in preparation for the storms. I urge Texans to heed guidance from state and local officials and monitor local forecasts to avoid driving into flooded areas."

"Ahead of the storms, the State of Texas activated emergency response resources in Central Texas in preparation for continued heavy rainfall and flash flooding threats."

Dig deeper:

The Kerrville Public Utility Board says there are widespread power outages.

Impacted areas include southeast Kerrville, Center Point and Hunt.

KPUB crews are currently restoring power to accessible areas, but some locations remain unreachable due to active flooding and hazardous road conditions. 

The Hunt Substation is flooded though it remains inaccessible for a full damage assessment at this time.

KPUB also believes that power lines crossing the rivers near Riverhill and Center Point are down.

What you can do:

Officials say the entire county is an "extremely active scene."

Residents are asked to shelter in place and not to travel.

People who are near creeks, steams and the Guadalupe River are asked to immediately move to higher ground.

Stay out of flooded areas and do not drive through water.

Do not call 9-1-1 to ask for updates.

TexasSevere Weather