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.