At least 88 people have died and dozens of others are missing following devastating central Texas floods that tore through local communities along the Guadalupe River early Friday.
Fast-moving waters rose some 26 feet in under an hour overnight, sweeping through buildings and knocking over trees across an area known as “flash flood alley.”
[time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”]Seventy-five bodies have been recovered, including 48 adults and 27 children, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said during a press conference Monday.
Many of the victims were staying at Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp located along the banks of the Guadalupe River. There were 10 campers and one counselor still unaccounted for at the time of the press conference Monday morning, Leitha said.
Local search and rescue efforts for the missing and wounded remain active. More than a hundred individuals have already been rescued by first responders including the U.S. Coast Guard.
The risk level for the area remains elevated. The National Weather Service, which has faced questions over whether it did all it could to adequately warn about the potential weather incident, has central Texas under a moderate risk of flash flooding, which could affect recovery efforts. The area is under a flood watch until 7 p.m. local time Monday.
“The situation on the ground remains dangerous,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Monday. She encouraged “everyone in the area to remain vigilant, listen to all warnings and respond accordingly.”
President Donald Trump issued a disaster declaration for Texas over the weekend, offering assistance to Kerr County individuals and local governments. “Texas will stop at nothing to ensure every missing person is fully accounted for,” wrote Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday.
Here are the names of some of the victims.
Camp Mystic
At least 27 campers and counselors from Camp Mystic died as the overflowing river flooded cabins and swept away cars, girls’ belongings, and people.
“Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly,” the camp wrote in a message on its website. “We have been in communication with local and state authorities who are tirelessly deploying extensive resources to search for our missing girls.”
The camp’s director, Richard “Dick” Eastland, died while trying to save young campers, according to a column in the Kerrville Daily Times written by Paige Sumner, a local resident and friend to Eastland. Sumner described him as a “father figure,” and highlighted the way he put campers first. “If an issue of any kind that needed attention came over the walkie-talkie, even a camper with a minor injury or the dreaded snake in the river, he would bolt out of the office and jump in a golf cart to get there as fast as he could,” Sumner wrote.
The exact number of young Camp Mystic campers who died has not yet been confirmed. But some family members, officials, and others have come forward to confirm losses. Among those are Chloe Childress, an 18-year-old counselor who had recently graduated from Kinkaid School in Houston.
Childress “lived a beautiful life that saturated those around her with contagious joy, unending grace, and abiding faith,” her family said in a statement. “Returning as a counselor to the place she loved so dearly, Chloe was looking forward to dedicating her summer days to loving and mentoring young girls at Camp Mystic.”
The names of multiple other young victims have also been reported. Mountain Brook Mayor Stewart Welch confirmed the passing of eight-year-old Sarah Marsh, a student at Cherokee Bend Elementary School, calling her death an “unimaginable loss” in a social media post. “Sarah’s passing is a sorrow shared by all of us, and our hearts are with those who knew her and loved her.”
Two Bradfield Elementary best friends, Lila Bonner and Eloise Peck, are also among the victims. “Eloise was literally friends with everyone,” her mother told Fox 4. “Eloise had a family who loved her fiercely for the 8 years she was with us.” The two girls had just finished the second grade.
Nine-year-old Janie Hunt also passed. She attended camp with six cousins, all of whom are safe, according to her grandmother.
Camp Mystic, according to the Texas Tribune, has hosted the daughters of former governors, a president, and other politicians through summers. Rep. August Pfluger of Texas revealed his daughters were staying at the camp and had been evacuated and reunited with their family following the deadly flooding.
“The last day has brought unimaginable grief to many families and we mourn with them as well as holding out hope for survivors,” said Pfluger. “Please join us today as we pray for miracles.”
The camp did not immediately respond to TIME’s request for more information.
Jane Ragsdale
Jane Ragsdale, director of the Heart O’Hills camp a mile north of Camp Mystic, also died in the flooding. Ragsdale’s death was confirmed by the camp’s social media account.
“Jane wasn’t just our director, she was our guiding light, our example, and our safe place. She had the rare gift of making every person feel seen, loved, and important. Her kindness, strength, and wisdom shaped generations of campers and staff,” the post read.
The camp’s first term this summer ended on June 28th, saving campers from being harmed due to the flooding.
Blair and Brooke Harber
The Harber family was spending the Fourth of July holiday at a cabin near Hunt, Texas, when the flood risk began, per the Wall Street Journal. Thirteen-year-old Blair and 11-year-old Brooke Harber, sisters, were killed in the disaster. Their grandparents, Mike and Charlene Harber, remain missing.
The Harbers have owned a cabin in Casa Bonita for the last five years, and often visited with their family to enjoy outdoor activities. “All those great memories are now a bad memory,” RJ Harber, the girls’ father, told the Journal.
Tanya Burwick
Tanya Burwick, 62, was found dead on Saturday after being reported missing amid the flooding, according to the San Angelo Police Department. Burwick was last seen driving in an area affected by the floods. Her vehicle, blocks away from where her body was discovered, was found submerged under floodwater.
“She lit up the room and had a laugh that made other people laugh,” Lindsey Burwick, her daughter, told the Associated Press.
Jeff Wilson
Kingwood Park High School teacher Jeff Wilson, who worked for the Humble Independent School District for three decades, also died in the floods, the district confirmed. Wilson’s wife, Amber, and his son, Shiloh, were still missing at the time of the Saturday post.
Jeff Wilson “was a beloved teacher and co-worker to many and will be deeply missed,” the district said.
A prayer vigil was held on Sunday night in remembrance of Wilson and to pray for his family.
Reece and Paula Zunker
Tivy High School teacher Reece Zunker, and his wife, Paula, lost their lives due to the flooding, the school confirmed in a Facebook post Sunday. Reece worked at the school district as a soccer coach and educator. “His unwavering dedication to our students, athletes, and the Tivy community touched countless lives and will never be forgotten,” the school wrote.
Paula was also a former Tivy teacher. “The care and impact she shared with her students continue to be felt, even years later,” the school said.
The couple’s children, Lyle and Holland, remained missing at the time of the post.
Julian Ryan
Julian Ryan’s family said the 27-year-old died a “hero” when he punched through a window to get his family to safety as their house flooded. Ryan severed an artery in his arm in the process, his fiancée Christinia Wilson told KHOU 11, and made calls for emergency assistance, though they did not arrive in time.
“By 6 (a.m.), he looked at me and the kids and my mother-in-law and said, ‘I’m sorry, I’m not going to make it. I love y’all,’” Wilson said.
Ryan was described as a “devoted parent” known for his “infectious laugh and unwavering kindness”in a GoFundMe post made on behalf of his family.
Bobby and Amanda Martin
Bobby and Amanda Martin, a middle-aged couple, were camping at the Guadalupe River when the flooding began, per the New York Times. Their RV was swept away by the rising water.
“He was an adventurous man, adventurous and outgoing. He had many good friends, because he was a good friend,” Bobby’s father, John Keith Martin, told the Times. “He’s just incredible.” Two other family members—John Keith’s grandchild and their girlfriend—remain missing.
Katheryn Eads
Fifty-two year-old Katheryn Eads was awoken by elevating floodwaters, prompting her and her husband, Brian Eads, to leave their RV, Brian told the Times. A nearby individual offered to give the couple a ride out of the area, but the pair were separated when that vehicle died and they were swept away by floodwater. Brian said he survived by holding on to a tree.
Brian Bennett contributed reporting.
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