'Today will be a hard day' | Recovery efforts continue a second day as 27 people are confirmed dead in devastating floods

KERR COUNTY, Texas — Rescue and recovery efforts have entered a second day after devastating and deadly floods hit Kerr County and other parts of the Hill Country on the July Fourth holiday.

Kerr County officials said at a news conference Saturday morning that at least 27 people have been killed as a result of the massive flooding. Officials said of those 27 bodies found, 18 are adults and nine of them are children. Six of the adults were unidentified and one child was unidentified as of 9 a.m.

Early Friday morning, between the hours of 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., the Guadalupe River rose more than 26 feet from an intense and slow-moving storm in the Hill Country. The rapid rise of a wall of water hit dozens of summer camps, campgrounds, RV parks, and homes along the Guadalupe River. Officials said more than 850 people were rescued from the flooding, with many grabbing on to trees and waiting hours for rescue. 

One of those summer camps, Camp Mystic, had more than 750 campers in residence over the Fourth of July holiday. As of Friday night, camp officials said there were more than 20 kids missing from the camp. At least a few of the bodies found were confirmed to be Camp Mystic campers. 

Kerr County and Kerrville officials say they are working closely with state and federal officials for assistance in the search and rescue operations.