The Guadalupe River that runs through Kerrville was transformed by pre-dawn torrential downpours into a raging torrent in less than an hour on Friday.

“Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy,” the camp said in a statement on Monday.

Freeman Martin, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, predicted the death toll would rise further as flood waters receded and the search gained momentum.

Ginger Turner, and her daughter, Hailey, right, pray during church services held at the Hunt Baptist Church. Their small town sits on the bank of the Guadalupe River and was severely damaged by recent flooding. Source: AP / Rodolfo Gonzalez

Authorities also warned that continued rainfall, even if lighter than Friday’s deluge, could unleash additional flash floods because the landscape was so saturated.

State emergency management officials had warned on Thursday, ahead of the July Fourth holiday, that parts of central Texas faced the possibility of heavy showers and flash floods.

“It’s hot, there’s mud, they’re moving debris, there’s snakes,” Martin told reporters on Sunday.

US Coast Guard helicopters and planes were aiding search and rescue efforts.

Onlookers survey damage along the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area. Source: AAP / Eric Gay/AP

Trump said on Sunday he would visit the disaster scene, probably this Friday.