
Screams erupt as cabin full people is washed away by historic Texas floods - as death count rises
In one of the most harrowing scenes yet from a disaster that has already claimed 13 lives, the cabin was seen drifting rapidly down the Guadalupe River in Hill County in the dead of night, carried off by the surging current as panicked voices rang out from inside.
Flashes of yellow light flickered from a flashlight inside the home, briefly illuminating the chaos as it floated past.
'Oh my god, there's so many people in it,' a male bystander could be heard saying in shock.
'Oh my god,' a woman could be heard saying behind him.
It is unclear if any of the home's occupants were injured and if they got to safety.
People have speculated the home looks like a counselor's cabin at Camp La Junta in Hunt.
Daily Mail has reached out to Camp La Junta for comment.
On Friday afternoon, the camp took to Facebook to announce that 'everyone at Camp La Junta is safe and accounted for.'
'We are working with authorities for the next step,' the statement read. 'We appreciate your prayers.'
Other summer camps have not been so fortunate.
The nearby Camp Mystic, a summer program for girls, confirmed that at least some of its campers were unaccounted for on Friday afternoon.
The summer camp, which is situated along the Guadalupe River, was evacuated overnight after heavy rainfall caused flash floods.
Dozens of water rescues are taking place across Kerr County today.
Kerr County's top lawmaker, Judge Rob Kelly, revealed one of the 13 people so-far confirmed dead in the Guadalupe River floods was nude.
Kelly said: 'One of them was completely naked. They didn't have any ID on them.'
The Guadalupe River rose to its second-highest height on record today at a height of 34 feet, the National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed early Friday morning.
The river's highest height was 36 feet, recorded during a major flood in 1987 when nearly 12 inches of rain fell in the town of Hunt.
Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr has issued a disaster declaration after severe flooding overnight resulted in widespread damage, injury and loss of life.
The city's local Walmart is being used as a temporary reunification center for those displaced by the floods.
A local utility company reported a 'major outage' impacting more than 2,600 customers across Kerrville, Center Point and Hunt.
The Guadalupe River rose to its second-highest height on record today at a height of 34 feet. The river's highest height was 36 feet, recorded during a major flood in 1987 when nearly 12 inches of rain fell in the town of Hunt
Officials say restoration efforts have been slowed by flooding and downed power lines.
All of Kerr County is considered to be an 'extremely active scene', Kerr County Sheriff Larry L. Leitha said in the statement.
'Our Office is working with a wide variety of local and state agencies to respond to calls and rescues,' Leitha added.
'Residents are encouraged to shelter in place and not attempt travel. Those near creeks, streams, and the Guadalupe River should immediately move to higher ground.'

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The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
'It's killing me': Texas residents devastated by flood deaths in local summer camps
As the death toll continues to rise after deadly flash flooding in central Texas, a frantic search is under way for missing campers, vacationers and residents. Hunt resident Macon Ware's five granddaughters had just finished a summer camping session at Camp Mystic, the all-girl camp where dozens of campers were swept away in the flood. 'Some of their friends were there for the second session and my heart goes out to all those little girls,' he says


Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The faces of the Texas floods: Tragic victims, a heroic father, brave camp directors and families clinging to hope as the death toll climbs to 82
Tales of devastation and heroic sacrifice continue emerge from Texas Hill Country where horrifying floods have killed scores and ravaged the area. At least 82 people were declared dead - with dozens more missing - when torrential rains created a near-Biblical flash flooding that caught thousands of Lone Star residents by surprise. Most of the fatalities have occurred at the epicenter of the floods in Kerr County, where Camp Mystic, a girls' summer camp, was washed away early on July 4. The camp was decimated when the Guadalupe River rose more than 26 feet in just 45 minutes. At least six campers aged eight and nine have been confirmed as deceased, along with counselor Chloe Childress and director Dick Eastland. Eleven girls are still missing and make up part of the 41 people who remain unaccounted for in the region, according to officials. As families anxiously await updates, the authorities were monitoring an additional 'wall of water' that threatened to engulf central Texas again on Sunday and sparked fresh evacuation orders. At least 28 bodies, including those of 10 children, have yet to be formally identified. Here are the faces of the disaster so far. Heroic father Julian Ryan, 27, is being hailed as a hero after he used his final moments to save his family from the fast-moving waters. The father-of-three selflessly punched through a window to help his fiancée, their children and his mother escape to the roof. Despite the severe injury, Ryan stayed focused on getting his family out safely. But with emergency responders unable to reach them in time, the father of two succumbed to his wounds hours later. But, the glass tore through his arm, severing an artery and nearly detaching the limb. His final words were, 'I'm sorry, I'm not going to make it. I love y'all.' Campers At least seven girls aged between eight and nine-years-old died after their dorm was deluged by flash flooding. The campers at Camp Mystic in Hunt barely stood a chance after the powerful current slammed into them as they slept. They have been identified as Renee Smajstrla, eight, Janie Hunt, nine, Sarah Marsh, eight, Lila Bonner, nine, Eloise Peck, eight, Lainey Landry, nine, and Anna Margaret Bellows, eight. Smajstrla was pictured enjoying her time at the camp the day before she was tragically killed. Meanwhile, Hunt's loss was being mourned by her family, the owners of the Kansas City Chiefs. Clark Hunt's wife Tavia posted a touching tribute to the beloved young cousin. Marsh was described as a 'ray of light' by her grandmother, while Bonner and Peck were best friends who died alongside each other. Landry's cousin confirmed that she is 'in heaven' and stated, 'the fact that she was found is somewhat of a miracle itself'. Renne Smajstrla, 8, and Lainey Landry, 9, tragically lost their lives when flood waters ravaged Camp Mystic in Hunt Sarah Marsh (left), 8, came from Alabama to attend Camp Mystic before she was swept away and killed. She died along with Janie Hunt (right), who was aged 9 Bellows' mom confirmed late Saturday that her daughter's body was pulled from the waters. Several girls from the camo are missing according to officials, although the exact figure is dynamic as rescue efforts continue. Selfless camp staff At least two camp employees are among the victims of the floods. Director Richard 'Dick' Eastland, 70, died while trying to rescue campers from the biblical rushing waters. Eastland's nephew, Gardner Eastland, confirmed the death in a Facebook post on Saturday. The camp director's wife, Tweety, was found safe at their home, according to Texas Public Radio. Father-of-four Eastland died in a helicopter on the way to a Houston hospital, Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly told the Washington Post. The Eastlands have owned and operated Camp Mystic since 1974, and many viewed him as a father figure at the camp. Camp counselor Chloe Childress also lost her life in the disaster. The Kinkaid School graduate was about to start studying at the University of Texas at Austin in the fall. 'Whether it was sharing her own challenges to ease someone's burden or quietly cheering a teammate or classmate through a tough day, Chloe made space for others to feel safe, valued, and brave,' Jonathan Eades, the head of The Kinkaid School, wrote in a letter to the school community. 'She understood what it meant to be part of a community, and more than that, she helped build one.' Missing fire chief A frantic search is underway for a fire chief who was taken by flood waters while responding to a call out. Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Michael Phillips went missing while responding to a water rescue at 4.30am on Saturday. Phillips was called out to Cow Creek in Travis County. His pulverized emergency vehicle has been recovered, but there is no sign of the fire chief yet. 'The search continues,' Burnet County Emergency Management Coordinator Derek Marchio told CNN Sunday. Beloved soccer coach and wife Reece Zunker and his wife Paula are among those who died in the devastating floods, and their two young children are still missing. The couple's family and local soccer team confirmed their deaths on social media, while one relative said their house was spotted 'floating down the Guadalupe River'. Tivy Boys Soccer team paid tribute to their coach in a Facebook post, saying he 'rebuilt the soccer program and left a legacy'. 'His passion for his players, students, co-workers, community and his family will never be forgotten,' the team wrote. Dozens of people commented on the post to share the 'incredible' impact he had on their lives. Tragic sisters Two sisters, Blair and Brooke Harber, were among those who were killed in the deadly Texas floods. They were not attending Camp Mystic when the natural disaster struck. Blair was 13, her sister was 11-years-old. The girls were with their grandparents at a cabin along the Guadalupe River when they were swept away, reported FOX 4. The girls' parents were staying at another cabin and are safe. Their grandparents, Charlene and Mike Harber, are missing. Beloved camp director The director of another Texas summer camp was also confirmed among the victims. Jane Ragsdale, 68, devoted her life to the Heart O'the Hills Camp, a summer camp for girls in Texas Hill Country. She was a camper and counselor there herself in the 1970s before becoming a co-owner. By the 1980s, she was director of the camp in Hunt. 'She was the heart of The Heart,' the camp said in a statement. '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.' Since the camp was between sessions, no children were staying there when the floodwaters rose. The camp's facilities, directly in the path of the flood, were extensively damaged and access to the site remained difficult, according to camp officials. The camp has been in existence since the 1950s. Camp officials said Ragsdale would be remembered for her strength and wisdom. 'We are heartbroken. But above all, we are grateful,' the camp said. 'Grateful to have known her, to have learned from her, and to carry her light forward.' Grandma on her way to work The last time Tanya Burwick's family heard from her was a frantic phone call about the floodwaters as she headed to work at a Walmart early Friday in the San Angelo area. When Burwick didn't show up for work, her employer filed a missing persons report and sent a colleague to look for her. Police investigating the 62-year-old's disappearance found Burwick's unoccupied SUV fully submerged later that day. Her body was found the next morning blocks from the vehicle. 'She lit up the room and had a laugh that made other people laugh,' said Lindsey Burwick, who added that her mom was a beloved parent, grandparent and colleague to many. Missing friends The father of Joyce Badon (left) said she and friend Ella Cahill (right) are missing with two others Wrecked father, Ty Badon, told CNN on Saturday that his daughter and her friends are missing and have not been seen or heard from since the disastrous rush of water. His daughter, Joyce Badon, and her friends, Ella Cahill, Reese Manchaca and Aiden Heartfield were last heard from around 4am on Friday. As of Sunday, there was still no update on their whereabouts. Entire family of six Five members of the same family are currently missing, according to Xavier Ramos who was camping with them in Ingram when the floods hit. His cousins Tasha Ramos and Kendall Ramos, stepfather Cody Crossland, his mom Michelle Crossland and his uncle Joel Ramos were all unaccounted for as of Sunday. His other cousin Devyn Smith, 23, was dramatically rescued after being swept around 12 miles down stream by the floods. Smith was lifted to safety after local man Carl Jeter spotted her clinging onto a tree near his house. 'She was screaming, "help, help, help",' Jeter told KSAT as he described the incredible moment she was rescued. Quick-thinking counselors Amid the chaos and confusion of the floods, two teenage counselors in a neighboring camp managed to keep calm and protect survivors. Silvana Garza and Maria Paula were tasked with putting on a 'happy face' after terrified campers were deposited at their location. Though they were scared themselves, they sprang into action, they told NMas. 'Us as counselors, we started to write our names on our skin, anywhere that was visible. We did the same for the girls, wrote their names anywhere that was easy to see,' Paula said. 'We told them to pack a bag, to pack their favorite stuff animal. We didn't know if we were going to be evacuated or not. We were just waiting.' Silvana explained that the young girls began to catch on that something tragic had happened. When they learned they were going to be evacuated as well, Silvana said chaos ensued. 'All of the girls started to go crazy, some were crying because they didn't want to leave,' she said. 'Others wanted their parents. I really don't know how to explain it. It was something awful.' The girls said that they didn't have their cell phones during the event and weren't initially told about the fatalities. Silvana admitted that she didn't understand the magnitude of the tragedy until they evacuated.


The Independent
4 hours ago
- The Independent
Texas flooding latest: Desperate search for survivors continues after 82 die as officials prepare for ‘wall of water' storm
A desperate search for at least 10 children campers continued into Sunday, after devastating floods killed at least 82 people in central Texas. The group of girls and one counselor are missing from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe River that was ravaged by the floods, officials said. At least four girls missing from the summer camp were found dead. At least 28 children were killed in what Texas GOP Congressman Chip Roy called a 'once-in-a-century flood.' Two girls — 13-year-old Blair and 11-year-old Brooke — were among those killed by the floods, their father told CNN on Saturday night. Harber said Blair 'was a gifted student and had a generous, kind heart,' and described Brooke as 'like a light in any room, people gravitated to her'. The unexpected flash flooding struck on Friday after torrential rain along the Guadalupe River. The destructive force of the fast-rising waters just before dawn on Friday washed out homes and swept away vehicles. Former Camp Mystic camper is now covering the flood aftermath CNN anchor Pamela Brown attended Camp Mystic 30 years ago — now she's covering the tragedy. 'That river was the source of so much joy and fun for us,' Brown said on the job. 'To think that that same river is the source of this devastation,' she added. 'It's just hard to wrap my head around.' Kelly Rissman7 July 2025 04:00 Updated death toll The Associated Press has reported that 82 people have now died after flash floods in central Texas. 10 girls and one counselor from Camp Mystic remains missing. Andrew Georgeson7 July 2025 03:03 Everything we know about Texas flooding victims The identities of the 79 flood victims are still being determined and released to the public. Here's what we know about the victims so far. Ariana Baio and Katie Hawkinson have the story. Texas flood victims: Everything we know The devastating Texas floods have killed at least 43 people, including 15 children and 28 adults Kelly Rissman7 July 2025 03:00 WATCH: Pope Leo offers prayers and condolences to victims of Texas floods Kelly Rissman7 July 2025 02:00 The latest from Kerr County Search and rescue operations, according to the Kerr County Sheriff's Office. The crews include 'hundreds of officers, deputies, and support staff working every aspect of this emergency, along with air, water, K9, and other assets conducting search and rescue,' the office said. As of Sunday early afternoon, the sheriff's office said it had recovered 68 deceased in Kerr County: 40 adults and 28 children. Eighteen adults are pending identification, and 10 children also pending identification, the office said. Ten Camp Mystic campers and one counselor are still missing. 'We continue to offer our condolences to those affected, and we are working tirelessly to reunite families,' the sheriff's office said. Kelly Rissman7 July 2025 01:30 WATCH: Timelapse video shows Texas flash floods turn dry river into deadly rapids in 20 minutes Kelly Rissman7 July 2025 01:00 Central Texas braces for more rainfall after devastating floods The San Antonio area is now bracing for more heavy rainfall. 'Additional rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches are possible with isolated pockets of 10 inches somewhere in the watch area. It is very difficult to pinpoint where exactly the isolated heavy amounts will occur in this pattern,' according to the National Weather Service. Earlier in the day, Nim Kidd, Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, warned of a potential 'wall of water' heading to the area. He warned: 'Because the ground is already saturated, any rain that falls can be perceived as life-threatening rain.' Kelly Rissman7 July 2025 00:40 President Trump plans to visit Texas 'probably' on Friday The president said he plans to visit Texas 'probably on Friday.' Asked about visiting the flood-ravaged state, Trump told reporters on Sunday: 'Probably on Friday. We wanted to leave a little time. I would have done it today, but we'd just be in their way.' Earlier on Sunday, the president announced he had signed a major disaster declaration for the state. 'These families are enduring an unimaginable tragedy, with many lives lost, and many still missing,' he wrote on Truth Social Sunday morning. Kelly Rissman7 July 2025 00:20 Flood survivor says he clung to a meter box Christian Fell, 25, was staying at his grandmother's home in Hunt when flood waters began quickly rushing in early Friday morning, forcing him to flee through a broken window and cling to a meter box for several hours. Fell told NBC News that he awoke around 3:00 a.m. local time to water filling the home. In the five minutes Fell took to look around the home for a way out, flood waters from the Guadalupe River had reached his waist. Fell is six feet tall. 'I had to go underwater and swim through the broken window,' Fell explained. After swimming out, Fell stood on top of a narrow meter box for several hours, waiting for the water to recede while trying to avoid touching electrical wires. Ariana Baio