Texas governor Greg Abbott vowed that authorities would work around the clock and said new areas were being searched as the water receded. He declared Sunday a day of prayer for the state.
Authorities said on Sunday that the death toll had risen to 82 following flash floods in Texas which ripped apart the area and washed homes off their foundations.
Texas governor Greg Abbot said at least 41 people were confirmed to be missing. This included ten campers and a counsellor from a Christian summer camp. Abbot pledged to keep searching until “everybody is found” from Friday’s flash floods.
He also warned that further heavy rainfall expected to last until Tuesday could lead to more dangerous conditions in the area.
Volunteers and some families of the missing drove to the most heavily hit regions to search the riverbanks for survivors despite being asked by officials not to do so.
US President Donald Trump signed a major disaster declaration for the affected region Kerr County on Sunday. “These families are enduring an unimaginable tragedy, with many lives lost, and many still missing,” he said on social media.
Following the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Leo expressed "sincere condolences" to all those who lost loved ones in the devastating flash floods.
The Guadalupe river surged more than eight metres in just 45 minutes on Friday, destroying homes, camps and vehicles. The disaster unfolded as heavy rains continued across Texas into the weekend, prompting more flash flood warnings.
Texas authorities used helicopters, boats and drones to look for victims and rescue stranded people. Officials said more than 850 people were rescued in the first 36 hours.
Authorities face growing scrutiny over whether enough warnings were issued in an area long vulnerable to flooding and whether enough preparations were made. They defended their actions, stating that they had not expected such an intense downpour, which was equivalent to months’ worth of rain for the area.
The hills along the Guadalupe in central Texas are dotted with youth camps and campgrounds. The area is especially popular around the 4 July holiday, making it more challenging to determine how many are missing.