Stories of rescues have begun trickling out, but 27 children from a storied camp on the Guadalupe River in Texas Hill Country remain unaccounted for.

Multiple fatalities have been confirmed and frantic water rescues and searches were underway Friday as a "catastrophic" flooding emergency unfolded.

(Reuters) -Founded by a University of Texas football coach, Camp Mystic where raging floodwaters swept away dozens of girls - killing several and leaving many others missing - was established along the banks of the Guadalupe River in central Texas hill country nearly a century ago "to provide young girls with a wholesome Christian atmosphere.