Xavier Ramirez's family had been at a campground in Texas' Kerr County when the waters of the Guadalupe River began to quickly rise.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said he had asked President Donald Trump to sign a disaster declaration, which would unlock federal aid for those affected.

At least 43 people have died and dozens of children are missing in the Texas Hill Country after catastrophic flooding, with officials warning the casualty count will climb as forecasts call for more rain and the risk of further flash floods in the coming days.