Chloe Childress, a counselor at Camp Mystic, died during the flooding in Hunt, Texas, according to a representative of her high school.

(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.

His optimism was fading. He paused along a Texas 39 grape orchard as friends searched across the highway in a massive field spanning half a mile. Trees once blocked the roadside view. Now, the still-swollen river, a mess of uprooted trees and scattering of volunteer searchers were visible from the road.

Torrential rain and flash floods hit parts of central Texas on Friday. At least 24 people have died in the floods, and more than 20 children are missing from Camp Mystic. The National Weather Service said the Guadalupe River at Hunt hit its second-highest height on record.