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

Widespread rainfall of 4 to 6 inches, with some reports of over 10 inches, has fallen since Thursday evening, prompting multiple flash flood emergencies.

Heavy rains are unleashing a “catastrophic” and deadly flood of Texas’ Guadalupe River on Friday. People have died in Kerr County in Hill Country and roads are washed out in Kerrville in Hill Country, authorities said.