Storm triggers Texas horror, over 20 killed

Rescuers were searching on Saturday for more than two dozen children from a girls’ camp and many others still missing after a wall of water rushed down a river in the Texas Hill Country during a powerful storm that killed at least 27 people, officials said.

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Among the dead were nine children.

President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was travelling to Texas and his administration was working with officials on the ground.

"Melania and I are praying for all of the families impacted by this horrible tragedy," Trump said in a statement on his social media network.

The destructive fast-moving waters along the Guadalupe River rose 8 metres in just 45 minutes before dawn on Friday, washing away homes and vehicles.

The danger was not over as torrential rains continued pounding communities outside San Antonio on Saturday and flash flood warnings and watches remained in effect for parts of central Texas.

Some 27 people remained missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp along the river, said Dalton Rice, Kerrville’s city manager. An unknown number of people at other locations were still unaccounted for, he said Saturday.

"People need to know today will be a hard day," said Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring, Jr. "Please pray for our community."