Girls killed in Texas floods pictured as time running out for missing Camp Mystic kids

Flash floods swept through Texas on Friday, killing at least 70 people as the US was celebrating Independence Day.

The Guadalupe River surged by 30ft above its typical level with racing watering destroying Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp in Hunt. Several young girls remain missing as a huge rescue effort continues to find those still unaccounted for. Many of the missing girls are younger children who had been sleeping just yards away from the river. They had been sleeping on the low-laying "flats" in the camp's cabins, with the older girls sleeping in cabins on higher grounds.

The director of the camp, Richard Eastland, 70, died as he tried to save girls. US President Donald Trump said those affected by the floods were "enduring an unimaginable tragedy."

READ MORE: Texas floods: Sisters, 11 and 13, found dead as hunt continues for 27 missing

READ MORE: Shop worker, 24, left brain dead after manager 'sat on her' tragically dies

Rescuers reportedly managed to locate two girls who took shelter in a tree, some 30ft up from the ground. They were found as the search effort continues, though time is running out. Authorities insist it is still a rescue operation.

Sarah Marsh, 8

Sarah Marsh arrived at Camp Mystic from her home in Alabama and was confirmed by her family to have died in the floods. Her grandmother told The Kerrville Daily Times: "Thank you for the outpouring of love and sympathy! We will always feel blessed to have had this beautiful spunky ray of light in our lives."

Eloise Peck, 8, and Lila Bonner, 9

Eloise Peck, from Dallas, Texas, had just finished the second grade at Bradfield Elementary alongside her best friend Lili, who also lost her life in the flood.

Her mum, Missy, old Fox 4: "She passed away with her cabinmate and best friend Lila Bonner who also died. Eloise had a family who loved her fiercely for the 8 years she was with us. Especially her Mommy."

Lila Bonner had been sharing a cabin at Camp Mystic with her best friend Eloise Peck when the deadly floods hit. Her family told NBC News: "In the midst of our unimaginable grief, we ask for privacy and are unable to confirm any details at this time. We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly for others to be spared from this tragic loss."

Renee Smajstrla, 8

The family of little Renee confirmed in a Facebook post that she was among the victims. Shawn Salta, her uncle, said: "We are thankful she was with her friends and having the time of her life, as evidenced by this picture from yesterday. She will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic."

Janie Hunt, 9

The mum of Janie Hunt told local media that the nine-year-old had been killed after flood water raced through Camp Mystic. She told NBC 5: "We are just devastated."

Brooke Harber, 11, and Blair Harber, 13

Brooke Harber was confirmed to have died on July 4, according to her priest Father Joshua J. Whitfield. He said: "Even if we may never fully understand why such tragedies happen, we are called to respond with love, compassion, and prayer."

Blair was also killed in the floods with their grandparents while they stayed at a cabin near the Guadalupe River. The girls' parents had been staying at another cabin and are safe.

Still missing

There are a number of other young girls still missing who's names have not yet emerged.

Further risks remain

Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott said today Kerr County is under a federal disaster declaration. Mr Abbott repeated his warning about dangers in the next 24 to 48 hours that could pose "public safety threats", with more heavy rain expected. Officials said this could result in potential flash flooding. Affected areas include central Texas and Kerrville.

Several other counties in Texas are subject to disaster declaration and need additional resources. Emergency services are working to find the remaining missing people who remain unaccounted for.