Let's bring you some reaction from some people caught up in the flooding earlier.

Among them was Bud Bolton, who recounted the scene as water swept through a recreational vehicle (RV) park in Kerrville.

"(They were) caught inside that RV, and that RV's floating away," he told the San Antonio Express News, external. "And kids are screaming, and you can't do nothing for them?"

RV park resident Thomas Rux told the paper he was awoken by thunder and rain and then told to evacuate by the fire department late in the night. Moments later, his RV was swept away by the aggressive surge.

Restaurant owner Lorena added: "It's total devastation. Helicopters are flying in, rescuing people trapped in trees. It's bad."

Officials have said search and rescue operations in central Texas have involved helicopters, drones, boats and more than 200 personnel.

Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick insisted efforts would continue until everyone had been accounted for.

Recalling what happened, Patrick said: "Within 45 minutes, the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet (8m) and it was a destructive flood, taking property and sadly lives."

Kerr County's most senior official, Judge Rob Kelly, was also asked during a news conference as to why camps along the Guadalupe River had not been evacuated in advance.

"We didn't know this flood was coming. Rest assured, no-one knew this kind of flood was coming," Kelly said.

He then added: "we do not have a warning system" in the area.

Image source, Getty Images

Peter Bowes
North America correspondent

In less than an hour the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet (8m) and the flooding that followed swept away mobile homes, vehicles and holiday cabins where people were spending the 4 July weekend.

There was little warning.

Officials say weather forecasts gave no indication that such a severe storm was moving into the area.

The missing girls were with about 750 other children when their summer camp was engulfed by the fast-moving waters.

Rescue efforts are being hampered by limited access to the area. Roads have been washed away and phones are down – making it difficult to contact people.

The search and rescue operation involving helicopters and boats will continue until everyone has been accounted for, officials add as a state of emergency has been declared in several counties.

In the last few minutes the National Weather Service (NWS) for Austin and San Antonio has issued a fresh alert warning of "very dangerous flash flooding" ongoing in parts of the state.

"A very slow moving disturbance is producing extreme rainfall rates," the service posts on social media. "Flash flood warnings are in effect as well as a flash flood emergency for north-west Travis County."

NSW also says there are alerts in place for western Williamson and Burnet counties.

Earlier, officials voiced concern about the weather - and urged those living in the central Texas area not to travel.

Kerr County Sheriff's Office told residents near creeks, streams and the Guadalupe River to move to higher ground.

Thomas Mackintosh
Live reporter

Image source, Getty Images

We are restarting our coverage on the rescue operation in Texas, following catastrophic flash floods which have killed at least 24 people.

More than 20 girls attending a Christian summer camp, which has more than 700 children in attendance, are missing.

A state of emergency has been declared in several counties where roads have been washed away and phone lines are down.

Stay with us and we will bring you the latest from the scene in central Texas.

Image source, Eric Vryn/Getty Images

A short time ago, Texas authorities wrapped up a press conference to give an update on the floods, which US President Donald Trump called "shocking" and "terrible".

Here's what we learned:

• At least 24 people have died after severe flash flooding in Kerr County, up from an earlier death toll of 13
• Between 23 and 25 people remain missing at Camp Mystic, a summer holiday camp for girls
• Another death in nearby Kendall County has been reported but it is unclear if it's related to the floods
• A total of 237 people have been rescued or evacuated so far
• The Texas governor, Greg Abbott, described the floods as an "extraordinary catastrophe" and signed an emergency declaration, giving rescuers access to all necessary resources
• Rescue efforts will continue throughout the night - it has just passed 23:00 local time (05:00 BST) - with the governor saying searches will be "non-stop"
• Authorities say weather forecasts before the sudden rains "did not predict the amount of rain that we saw"

We are ending our live coverage of the Texas floods. You can read our full story here: At least 24 dead and up to 25 children missing in 'terrible' Texas floods.

Angélica Casas
Reporting from Texas

Everything is bigger in Texas, as they say, including celebrations for 4 July, the US Independence Day holiday.

Local parks and neighbourhoods throughout the state host big community events with food and live entertainment that culminate with the traditional fireworks display show.

Many events in Central Texas, though, had to be cancelled last-minute as a result of the rainfall. And even where gatherings still took place, the tragedy in Kerr County - and the uncertainty of so many people still missing - overshadowed the festivities.

The rain is expected to continue here overnight and through Sunday.

US President Donald Trump has made his first comments on the severe flooding in Texas that has claimed at least 24 lives, with more than 20 missing at a holiday camp for girls.

"It's terrible," he said, adding the floods are "shocking".

There was a long line of officials taking questions from reporters at the press conference.

They have been asked why evacuation orders weren't issued, given the deluge expected in the area.

The live feed has been a little patchy so it's been hard to tell who is speaking at times, but one official said: "You all got the forecast... it did not predict the amount of rain that we saw".

Another added that evacuation orders could have created "chaos" on the roads and put more people at risk of being swept away.

"There's a very fine balance [for authorities]," he added.

Angélica Casas
Reporting from Texas

Governor Greg Abbott has continued to call for prayers as search and rescue operations continue through the region alongside the Guadalupe River.

“This is a time when we as a state, as a community, need God more than ever,” Abbott said at the press conference.

Officials have said a group of children are still missing from Camp Mystic, a local camp ground that was hosting about 700 school-age girls.

The governor pleas for prayers to continue for the missing.

However authorities have added that they don't know how many people in total are missing as a result of the floods.

We've heard that damage to telecommunications infrastructure has made it hard to make contact with many people in the region.

Responding to questions from reporters, authorities say they are still searching for 23-25 girls who are missing from Camp Mystic.

Texas park rangers earlier said they had been able to reach the river-side summer camp and had started rescuing some of the children who were stranded there.

But a large group of girls remain unaccounted for.

We're now hearing more details about rescue operations from Texas Maj Gen Thomas Suelzer.

Five helicopters - paired with rescue swimmers - were deployed, as well as "high-profile tactical military vehicles" to move evacuees out of high water areas to shelter.

So far, 237 people have been rescued, he says.

Authorities have just said the death toll from the floods in Kerr County has now risen to 24, up from 13.

County Sheriff Larry L. Leitha said that officials will not be identifying those who have died, as relatives are still being notified.

Another person has died in Kendall County, he added, but it unclear at this point if it is directly related to the weather event.

In front of the cameras, Greg Abbott signed an emergency declaration - which he says will enable authorities to give rescuers all the resources they need to search for those who are unaccounted for.

You can follow the press conference by clicking Watch live at the top of the page.

The governor said rescuers will continue tirelessly searching for those who are missing - around the clock.

"[Searches] will continue in the darkness of night. They will take place when the sun is rising in the morning. They will be non stop."

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has just started his press conference about the severe flooding in Texas.

"So many people have been swept up into an extraordinary catastrophe," he says.

We need a "robust response", he continues.

We've met with officials and we're collaborating to make sure we address everyone's concerns, Abbott says.

Angélica Casas
Reporting from Texas

We’re starting to learn the identities of people who are missing.

Ella Cahill, Aidan Heartfield and Joyce Badon are graduates of Monsignor Kelly High School in Beaumont, a city about a 5-hour drive from Kerr County. They are missing alongside friend Reese Manchaca.

According to a Facebook post by Mackenzie Hodulik, Cahill’s older sister, the group was last heard from at 04:00 local time (10:00 BST), as they were trying to escape a home to “get to higher ground”.

It's now around 21:15 local time.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott is due to address the media shortly on the severe floods with state and local officials.

We will continue to bring you updates.