AUSTIN, Texas — Following deadly floods taking over central Texas where search and rescue response teams are still searching for missing people, including about 24 girls who had been attending a Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe River.

As of Saturday, the death toll had risen to 27 people, including 9 children.

Gov. Greg Abbott

“This is a time when we, as a state, need God more than ever,” said Gov. Abbott in a press release. “The one thing I hear the most are the prayers that are being sent for those who are in harm’s way. There is an extraordinary collaboration to make sure that we address everybody’s concern as quickly as possible. As part of this, I am signing a disaster declaration to ensure counties have access to every tool, strategy, and personnel that the State of Texas can provide to them, which will be limitless.”

“Texas will stop at nothing to ensure every missing person is fully accounted for.”

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, acting as governor

“I am working in coordination with the state’s emergency response team on the significant flooding that occurred in the Hill Country and Concho Valley regions in the early hours of this morning. The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office has reported catastrophic flooding in the area, with several people missing and confirmed loss of life. Additional rain is forecast in those areas. Even if the rain is light, more flooding can occur in those areas. There is an ongoing threat for possible flash flooding from San Antonio to Waco for the next 24 to 48 hours in addition to the continued risks in west and central Texas,” said Lt. Gov. Patrick in a press release.

“I urge Texans in impacted areas to heed the guidance of their local officials. The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and other state emergency response assets are on the ground, assisting Texas communities with response operations and any unmet needs. I will hold a press conference from the Texas State Emergency Operations Center in Austin later this afternoon to brief the public and the media with the latest updates.”

“I’m asking the people of Texas to do some serious praying this afternoon — on your knees kind of praying — that we find these young girls and that they’re only unaccounted for because they’re somewhere that we don’t know yet but that they’re alive and safe,” Patrick said during Friday’s press conference.

Attorney General Ken Paxton

”This tragic unimaginable flood in the hill country has brought so much loss and devastation. This morning Texans are praying for these families. God be with them during this time of unimaginable pain and suffering,” the attorney general wrote in a post on X.

Agriculture Commisioner Sid Miller

”I have been closely monitoring the situation in Kerr County and throughout the state. Texas Department of Agriculture resources have been deployed to the emergency response center. Additionally, we are opening up the TDA’s Star Fund for victim support, activating resources to provide hay for livestock in the affected areas, and opening the Agri-Stress Hotline to ALL TEXANS who need support as a result of these horrific events. Call or text: 833-897-2474 for that service,” Miller wrote in a post on X.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas

”Please pray right now for everyone in the Hill Country, especially Camp Mystic. Today, I’ve spoken with Gov Abbott, Lt. Gov Patrick, the head of TDEM & President Trump. Multiple helicopters are performing search & rescue. President Trump committed ANYTHING Texas needs,” Sen. Cruz posted on X on Friday.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn

“Our prayers are with the families of those lost and those still unaccounted for in today’s tragic flooding,” Sen. Cornyn wrote.