At least 13 people are reported to have died in a “catastrophic” flooding in Texas. Many more, including 20 children from a summer camp, are still missing after the flash flooding of the Guadalupe River.

Months worth of rain fell in just a few hours in central Kerr County, causing the river to flood and triggering a huge emergency response. Search teams have been conducting boat and helicopter rescues in the fast-moving water that overtook riverfront communities and children’s summer camps. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha Jr. said the remains of 13 victims had been found and expected more fatalities will be reported, according to US media.

Speaking at a news conference, he said: “There’s still several people unaccounted for right now, at this point, but we’re working really hard. And we’re going to continue. This is probably going to be a couple of day process.”

Lt Gov Dan Patrick said 20 children who were at a Christian summer camp, called Camp Mystic, were still missing, the Texas-based Austin American-Statesman newspaper reported.

“We’re praying for them to be found,” he said.

People have been sharing photos of people in the flood zone on social media, looking for an update on the whereabouts of those who hadn’t been heard from.

One woman said she couldn’t reach her daughter, who had rented a cabin in Hunt for her husband and two children, and pleaded for someone to post the names of those already evacuated.

Up to 10 inches (25 centimetres) of rain fell in just a few hours overrnight, causing the flashing flooding of the Guadalupe River.

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