Texas [US], July 6 (HBTV): Torrential rains have triggered flash floods in parts of central Texas, resulting in the deaths of more than 50 people, according to CNN. In response to the disaster, US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem assured swift rescue operations, while Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared Sunday as a Day of Prayer across the state.

In Kerr County, more than 20 girls are reported missing from Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp located along a river that rose over 20 feet in less than two hours. Authorities said hundreds of people have been rescued or evacuated from the region, many by helicopter.

Some areas received a month's worth of rain in just a few hours overnight into Friday.

In a post on X late Saturday night (local time), Noem stated that the US Coast Guard has ‘saved or assisted’ in rescuing 223 people.

‘The number one priority right now is people—making sure we are finding them as fast as possible and are returning them to their families, and throughout the process we will get into what damage was done to public infrastructure,’ Noem said in a video message shared on her official X account.

She wrote, ‘Our hearts are with those impacted by the Central Texas floods. I thank Gov. Abbott, state officials, and the U.S. Coast Guard for their swift, heroic response.’

Noem also noted that the US President is committed to deploying all federal resources to help unify families, rescue the missing, and return recovered loved ones promptly.

‘DHS remains fully engaged, and I am in constant contact with the President—working around the clock and providing him with real-time updates. God bless Texas,’ she added.

Sharing the resilience of Texans, Governor Abbott wrote on X that emergency responders will continue operations until every missing person is located.

He also declared Sunday, July 6, as a ‘Day of Prayer’ in Texas.

‘Declared this Sunday, July 6th, as a Day of Prayer in Texas in response to the floods in the Hill Country. I invite Texans to join me in prayer for the communities affected by this disaster,’ Abbott posted.

According to CNN, the Trump administration will honor a federal disaster declaration signed by Abbott to facilitate relief efforts. On Saturday, Governor Abbott also signed an expanded disaster declaration that includes Travis County, located approximately 130 miles northeast of the severely affected Kerr County.

(ANI)