President Donald Trump said he signed a major disaster declaration for central Texas following devastating flooding that has killed dozens of people, including children.
“I just signed a Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County, Texas, to ensure that our Brave First Responders immediately have the resources they need. These families are enduring an unimaginable tragedy, with many lives lost, and many still missing,” Trump said in a post to his Truth Social platform.
He said the administration, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, is working alongside state and local officials.
At least 59 people, including 21 children, died in Kerr County, Texas, after the area saw nearly a foot of rain Friday. Eleven children at an all-girls Christian summer camp called Camp Mystic, which is located along the Guadalupe River, remain missing.
Officials have said that the mission remains a search and rescue effort, not a recovery effort.
“We extend our sincerest condolences and prayers for every single family affected by this tragedy, and we continue to work around the clock and reunite these families,” Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said Sunday morning. “We will continue to search. Our search efforts until everybody is found.”
TEXAS SUMMER CAMP GIRLS REMAIN UNACCOUNTED FOR AFTER DEVASTATING FLOODS, OFFICIALS SAY
Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX), who represents a San Antonio district, said he was heartened to see people coming together in the face of tragedy.
“I think people are coming together,” he said in an interview on CNN. “They’re rallying to support the community and the families who have lost loved ones. It’s been very heartening, I know, for everyone to see all the donations and the support that’s come in, but just a complete tragedy.”