As first responders continue to rescue people stranded by the torrential flooding that descended on central Texas Friday, dozens of people are facing a parent’s worst nightmare: Their children are missing.

"People need to know today will be a hard day," said Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring, Jr. at a news conference on Saturday.

The deadly floods that struck Texas on the 4th of July caught local officials off guard as the torrential rains caused the Guadalupe River to overflow in minutes.

Dozens of people are dead in central Texas in what officials called a "mass casualty event" after devastating flash floods slammed Texas Hill Country, with water rescues taking place along the Guadalupe River.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick have issued statements regarding the flooding in the Hill Country of Texas, urging Texans to heed local officials' guidance and mobilizing emergency response resources to assist affected areas.

At least 24 people are dead following flooding that slammed Texas Hill Country overnight on Friday, according to officials. At least 20 girls from a summer camp remain missing.

So far, 27 people have been confirmed dead in Kerr County, Texas after severe flooding along the Guadalupe River. Here are photos of the devastation.