A former volunteer firefighter is still missing but his wife has been found safe after they both clung to trees when deadly floodwater came through Texas' Hill Country, according to friends.
Brad and Tina Perry, of League City, were camping in their RV in Kerrville when the rain-swollen waters rose early in the morning on Friday, July 4, friends Steven and Debbie Whatley told CBS affiliate KHOU.
Around 5 a.m. local time, Brad, 49, told the friends that he was forced to climb on top of a tree when water swept away the RV, according to the Whatleys.
Debbie said the couple's youngest son, who is 18 years old, was able to briefly speak to his dad on the phone after receiving a 911 alert from Brad's phone.
The son, according to Debbie, said his dad was breathing in a "labored" manner as he told him, "I'm in a tree. Your mom is gone. I got to go." Brad has not been heard from since.
Brad previously worked as a volunteer firefighter for League City, the Whatleys told KHOU.
They said he worked in swift water rescue while with the department.
Tina, 52, was later found clinging to a tree and yelling for help, another family friend said. She was transported to a local hospital with a broken rib and punctured lung.
Kerr County, where Kerrville is located, was hit the hardest by the floods: Authorities say approximately 70 people, at least, have died and another 11 people remain missing after the flash flooding disaster, according to the Associated Press and CBS News.
At a midday news conference on Sunday, July 6, officials said 38 adults and 21 children were among the rising death toll; 18 adults and four children have yet to be identified.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has declared Sunday as a day of prayer "for the healing of individuals, safety of our first responders and public safety officers, rebuilding communities, and restoration of the region struck by this disaster."
"Texans are known for their faith, strength, and resilience," Abbott said in a statement. "Even as floodwaters raged, neighbors rushed in to rescue, comfort, and bring hope. In times of loss, we turn to God for comfort, healing, and strength."
He continued, "I urge every Texan to join me in prayer this Sunday -- for the lives lost, for those still missing, for the recovery of our communities, and for the safety of those on the front lines."