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.

Devastating floods across central Texas have killed at least 51 people after a storm pounded the region. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation declaring Sunday as a day of prayer across the state in response to the flooding.

Deadly flooding is responsible for the deaths of at least 68 people in Kerr County and 10 others across the state, officials say.