Horror as at least six dead and summer camp children missing after 'catastrophic' floods

Men survey damage left by the floods as the search continues for those missing (Image: AP/Eric Gay)

At least 13 people are reported to have died in a "catastrophic" flooding in Texas. Many more, including 20 children from a summer camp, are still missing after the flash flooding of the Guadalupe River.

Months worth of rain fell in a matter of hours in central Kerr County, causing the river to rise some 22 feet and flood — triggering a huge emergency response. Search teams have been conducting boat and helicopter rescues in the fast-moving water, with searches for those unaccounted for continuing. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha Jr. said the remains of 13 victims had been found and expected more fatalities would be reported, according to US media.

The floods have been described as 'catastrophic' (Image: AP/Eric Gay)

Speaking at a news conference, he said: “There’s still several people unaccounted for right now, at this point, but we’re working really hard. And we’re going to continue. This is probably going to be a couple of day process."

Lt Gov Dan Patrick said 20 children who were at a Christian summer camp for girls, called Camp Mystic, were still missing.

“We’re praying for them to be found," he said.

Debris left behind by the floods (Image: AP/Eric Gay)

Five hundred people, as well as 14 helicopters and 12 drones, are said to be are out searching for those missing.

According to CNN, Lt Gov Patrick said: “I want all of you to know we will do everything humanly possible. Twenty-four-seven, looking at every tree, turning over every rock, whatever it takes - if your child is one of those truly missing and not just out of touch - to find your daughter."

People have been sharing photos of people in the flood zone on social media, looking for an update on the whereabouts of those who hadn’t been heard from.

One woman said she couldn’t reach her daughter, who had rented a cabin in Hunt for her husband and two children, and pleaded for someone to post the names of those already evacuated.

Ingram Fire Department posted a photo of a statement from Camp Mystic, saying the private Christian summer camp had experienced “catastrophic level floods”. Parents with a daughter not accounted for were directly contacted, the camp said.

Another camp on the river located east of Hunt, Camp Waldemar, said in an Instagram post that “we are all safe and sound”.

Up to 10 inches (25 centimetres) of rain fell in just a few hours on Friday morning, causing the flash flooding of the Guadalupe River.

Erin Burgess' home sits directly across from the river in a neighbourhood west of Ingram and said she woke up to thunder and "pretty heavy" rain, which she described as "no big deal", at 3.30am.

However, just 20 minutes later, she said water was coming through her home and she had to cling to a tree.

“My son and I floated to a tree where we hung onto it, and my boyfriend and my dog floated away. He was lost for a while, but we found them," she said.