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.

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.

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