Statewide Death Total for Texas Flooding Updated By Officials

The widespread flooding throughout central Texas has resulted in several deaths, and a new update from local officials paints an awful picture of the devastation that's taken place.

Officials say that at least 70 people have died as a result of the floods, including 21 children.

At least 59 of the 70 people died in Kerr County, while four are believed to be dead in Travis County. Three fatalities have been reported in Burnet County, two in Kendall County and then one each in Tom Green and Williamson counties.

The Department of Homeland Security says the President has signed a disaster declaration for Kerr County, and FEMA is on the ground.

President Trump said that he signed the declaration "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. The Trump Administration continues to work closely with State and Local Leaders. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem was on the ground yesterday with Governor Greg Abbott, who is working hard to help the people of his Great State," Trump also said.

Homeland Security director Kristi Noem is also in Texas, where she says her goal is to " continue to work to make sure Texas has the resources needed to respond and recover.

Rescue and search efforts continue for several girls and a counselor from Camp Mystic, which was situated in the middle of the flooding area. Authorities are still seeking at least 11 children and a counselor from the camp.

"I assure you we're going to do everything along with our partners, and we'll be on this till we find the last body," said Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha. 

Kerr County does not have a warning system on the river, which made it more difficult to get people out before the floods started. County Judge Rob Kelly said that the area was unprepared for a flood of this magnur

"We didn't know this flood was coming," Kelly said, according to ABC News.

"We have floods all the time. This is the most dangerous river valley in the United States, and we deal with floods on a regular basis. When it rains, we get water. We had no reason to believe that this was going to be anything like what's happened here, none whatsoever."