The Houston Texans have announced they are committing $500,000 to provide help to those affected by the devastating flooding in the Texas Hill Country communities.
Some 27 people, including nine children, have been confirmed dead after flash floods in central Texas, authorities said on Saturday.
A statement from Texans owners Janice, Hannah and Cal McNair read: ‘We are heartbroken by the loss and damage that our neighbors in the Texas Hill Country have endured.
‘We are especially devastated to hear about the children who are still missing and we are praying they are reunited with their families soon.
‘Our hearts will remain with everyone affected and in addition to our donation, we will continued to support the search, rescue and recovery efforts in the coming weeks.’
Scores of rescuers are searching for children from the Camp Mystic summer camp and many others who were still missing after a wall of water rushed down a river in the Texas Hill Country during a powerful storm.
The sheriff’s office in Kerr County, Texas said 800 people had been evacuated from the region as flood waters receded in the area around the Guadalupe River, about 85 miles northwest of San Antonio.
The destructive fast-moving waters along the river rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes before dawn Friday, washing away homes and vehicles.
At least 23 to 25 people from Camp Mystic were missing, most of them reported to be young girls.
The U.S. National Weather Service said that the flash flood emergency has largely ended for Kerr County, the epicenter of the flooding.
A flood watch, however, remains in effect until 7pm on Saturday from the San Antonio-Austin, Texas, region, with scattered showers expected throughout the day.
Searchers used helicopters, boats and drones to look for victims and to rescue stranded people while frantic parents and families posted photos of missing loved ones and pleas for information.
Donald Trump said the federal government is working with state and local officials to respond to the flooding.
‘Melania and I are praying for all of the families impacted by this horrible tragedy. Our Brave First Responders are on site doing what they do best,’ he said on social media.
The flooding in the middle of the night on the Fourth of July holiday caught many residents, campers and officials by surprise.
The Texas Hill Country, which sits northwest of San Antonio, is a popular destination for camping and swimming, especially around the summertime holiday.
