The Federal Emergency Management Agency is activated to respond to the incident, officials say.
President Donald Trump on Sunday signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County, Texas, following floods that left dozens of people dead over the weekend, while it was later confirmed that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been activated to respond.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that he had “just signed” the declaration for Kerr County to make sure that first responders “immediately have the resources they need” to respond to the flooding, which officials say has left at least 67 people dead and many more missing.
“Our incredible U.S. Coast Guard, together with State First Responders, have saved more than 850 lives. GOD BLESS THE FAMILIES, AND GOD BLESS TEXAS!” Trump added in the post, saying that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott are responding.
Searchers in Kerr County have found 16 bodies since Saturday afternoon, bringing the total number of dead there to 59, said Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha. The dead included 21 children, he said.
He pledged to keep searching in the Hill Country region until “everybody is found” from Friday’s flash floods. Four deaths also were reported in Travis County, three in Burnet County, and one in Kendall county, officials said.
Rescuers dealt with broken trees, overturned cars and muck-filled debris in the difficult task to find survivors. Authorities still have not said how many people were missing beyond the 11 children and a camp counselor from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp.
Also Sunday, Noem said in a statement that FEMA is being deployed to Texas to deal with the floods, which started on the evening of July 3 following significant rains.
“Thank you, President Trump,” she wrote in her statement. “We are currently deploying [FEMA] resources to Texas first responders, and will work closely with state and local authorities to ensure the people of Texas get the support they need as search efforts continue and recovery begins.”
