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Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Flash flooding claimed more than 100 lives in Central Texas. Here's what we know about the victims
AUSTIN (KXAN) — At least 119 people across Central Texas are confirmed dead, including dozens of children who were attending summer camp in the Hill Country, after a weekend of catastrophic flooding. The flash flooding deluged summer camps in Kerr County, dotted along the Guadalupe River, and also left families in Burnet, Kendall, Tom Green, Travis and Williamson Counties looking for family members swept away in the floodwaters. State officials are still hoping to find people alive as crews enter their fourth day of searching. MAP: Where have flash flooding fatalities been confirmed in Texas? Kerr County officials said at least 95 people died in flash flooding over the Fourth of July weekend — 36 of whom are children. At least 161 others remain missing. Camp Mystic is a nearly century-old all-girls Christian camp on the banks of the Guadalupe River. The camp has been run by couple, Dick and Tweety Eastland, since they purchased it in 1974. The grandson of Dick Eastland confirmed on social media his grandfather died 'saving the girls that he so loved and cared for.' New images show aftermath of Camp Mystic flooding In a message posted Monday morning, Camp Mystic said it was grieving the loss of 27 campers and counselors. 'Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly,' the post stated. On social media, several families across Texas have confirmed that their daughters did not survive the historic flooding that deluged the camp, including Mary Grace Baker, Anna Margaret Bellows, Lila Bonner, Hadley Hanna, Janie Hunt, Lainey Landry, Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence, Sarah Marsh, Linnie McCown, Blakely McCrory, Wynne Naylor, Eloise Peck, Renee Smajstrla, Mary Stevens and Greta Toranzo. Hundreds gathered outside Casis Elementary School on Sunday to mourn 8-year-old Austin ISD student Linnie McCown. Her father said on Instagram the Mystic camper, 'filled [their] hearts with so much joy we cannot begin to explain.' The family of Mary Stevens, a Mystic camper and student at Highland Park Elementary School, confirmed on social media that she was among those who did not survive the flooding. Stevens' mother wrote on Instagram, 'Our world is shattered, but I have peace getting your letters and knowing you were having the time of your life at camp and had a dance party with all of your friends before the Lord decided to take you from us.' St. Anne Catholic School in Beaumont confirmed Mary Grace Baker was among those killed at Camp Mystic. 'Mary Grace was a bright light in our close-knit school family, known for her kindness and friendship to all, her joyful spirit and her love for her faith and family,' the school posted on Instagram. 'Her giggle was contagious, as was her spirit.' The mother of Anna Margaret Bellows, 8, confirmed to KXAS that her daughter's body had been recovered. Lila Bonner's family told KXAN, 'We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly for others to be spared from this tragic loss.' The family of Hadley Hanna, 8, confirmed she was among those killed. 'While we are deeply moved by the outpouring of support from neighbors, first responders and volunteers, we ask that the media, the public and even well-meaning individuals honor our need for space and quiet during this time,' a statement from the family read. Janie Hunt was attending Camp Mystic along with several of her cousins, according to a message from U.S. Congressman Buddy Carter posted on X. Hunt's family said about her on social media, 'God of grace and comfort, we thank you for our little niece, Janie Hunt and for the place she held in all our hearts.' Nine-year-old Lainey Landry was also killed in the flooding at Camp Mystic, a Facebook post by St. George Catholic Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, said. Eight-year-old twins Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence were among the victims at Camp Mystic, their grandfather told NBC News. Their older sister was also at camp, but was safely evacuated. 'Hanna and Rebecca gave their [family] so much joy,' the grandfather said. 'They and that joy can never be forgotten.' The Mayor of the City of Mountain Brook, Alabama, said on Instagram that Sarah Marsh, 8, was a student at Cherokee Bend Elementary. Mayor Welch said, 'This is an unimaginable loss for her family, her school and our entire community. Sarah's passing is a sorrow shared by all of us, and our hearts are with those who knew and loved her.' Blakely McCrory, 8, was also among those killed at Camp Mystic, her mother confirmed on Facebook. 'While we find some comfort in the knowledge that Blakely is happy, safe and secure in the arms of Jesus, we are beyond shattered and will miss her with every breath we take for the rest of our lives.' The family of Wynne Naylor confirmed to KXAS that their daughter was killed. 'There are no words to express our gratitude to everyone who supported Wynne and our entire family through this time,' a statement from the family read. 'Wynne has a great love of the outdoors, a love of God and love for her community.' The family of Eloise Peck confirmed she had been found dead. 'It is with a heavy heart that I let you know that Eloise Peck has been found and is now an angel,' a statement from the family said. A family member of Renee Smajstrla confirmed she was among the victims, writing on Facebook, 'While not the outcome we prayed for, the social media outreach likely assisted the first responders in helping to identify her so quickly.' The family member went on to say, '[Renee] will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic.' The parents of Greta Toranzo shared on Facebook that her daughter was among those killed. 'Greta was thrilled to return to Camp Mystic for a third summer this year,' her parents said. 'She was overjoyed to be reunited with her camp friends for weeks of fun, laughter, sports and sisterhood.' At least one Camp Mystic counselor was also killed during the flash floods, according to her family. Chloe Childress, 19, was a former camper who had become a camp counselor. In a statement, her family said she 'lived a beautiful life that saturated those around her with contagious joy, unending grace, and abiding faith.' Bailey Martin was a police officer in Odessa, Texas. Nexstar station KMID reported that Martin, his girlfriend, Jayda, his father, Bobby Martin, and his stepmother, Amanda Martin, were visiting a campground in Kerrville to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend when their RV was swept away in the flash floods. The Odessa Police Department said on Tuesday Martin was found dead. 'We kindly ask that you respect the family's privacy during this difficult time, as they have not only lost Bailey but also several other family members,' Odessa Police Department officials said. 'Our prayers go out to them, and to everyone affected by this devastating natural disaster.' St. Rita Catholic School, in Dallas, told its community that two sisters who attended the school, rising sixth grader Brooke Harber and rising eighth grader Blair Harber, were among the children whom first responders were searching for. NBC News reported that in a detailed statement posted to GoFundMe, the girls' aunt said their bodies were found 15 miles away from the family's vacation rental in Hunt. 'When they were found, their hands were locked together,' she told NBC. Another summer camp located along the Guadalupe River, Heart O' the Hills, announced on Saturday that the camp's longtime co-owner, Jane Ragsdale, lost her life during the devastating flooding in the Hill Country. Camp officials said Jane 'embodied the spirit of Heart O' the Hills and was exactly the type of strong, joyful woman that the camp aimed to develop.' Julian Ryan and his young family woke up to water rushing into their home. In a detailed account posted to GoFundMe, his family said Julian died while trying to save his wife, mother and children from the flood waters. 'I love you, Julian,' his sister said in a Facebook post. 'It shouldn't have took you to pass away for you to get recognition, but you made it and the world is gonna know how good of a man you were.' John Burgess, 39, was camping at the HTR TX Hill Country Campground in Ingram with his wife and two children when the flash floods hit. His family said on Facebook he died in the Kerr County flooding. Burgess' wife, Julia, and their two youngest children are still missing, family said. Kerrville Independent School District is also mourning the loss of a beloved soccer coach and a former teacher. District officials said on Facebook that Reece Zunker and his wife, Paula Zunker, lost their lives in the flood. The district said Paula 'left a lasting mark on the community' and said Reece's 'unwavering dedication […] will never be forgotten.' The Zunkers' two children, Lyle and Holland, are still missing, according to the district's post from Sunday. Humble Independent School District said a long-time teacher, Jeff Wilson, passed away due to the flooding in Kerrville. According to the district, Wilson worked for 30 years at both Humble High School and Kingwood Park High School. 'He was beloved teacher and co-worker to many and will be deeply missed,' the district said in a statement on X. District officials said Jeff's wife, Amber, and son Shiloh are still missing. The University of Texas at San Antonio community was also touched by the tragedy. Katheryn Eads, a senior lecturer of psychology at UTSA, was among those killed. Two UTSA students are believed to be among those still missing. 'Dr. Eads was an extraordinary educator whose devotion to her students and to the craft of teaching embodied the very best of our academic community,' Heather Shipley, UTSA provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, said. 'Through her insight, expertise and unwavering commitment to student success, she inspired generations of learners and colleagues alike. Her absence leaves a profound void at UTSA, but her impact will continue to resonate through the lives she touched.' José Olvera and his wife, Alicia, both in their 70s, were swept away in floodwaters in Hunt, a neighbor told NBC News. José's body was found Saturday, but Alicia remains missing. Volunteers believe they were holding hands when they were swept away, the neighbor said. NBC News also confirmed with her father that Joyce-Catherine Badon, 21, was among those killed in the Kerr County floods. Travis County Judge Andy Brown said seven people died and 10 people remain missing after the 'extremely deadly and destructive' flooding throughout Travis County over the Fourth of July weekend. Among the missing is a 17-year-old girl. The Glenn High School Grizzly Band and Leander ISD Trustee Anna Smith posted on Facebook Monday that incoming sophomore Braxton Jarmon lost his life during the floods. Smith said Jarmon's sister is still missing. 'We could not have imagined this tragedy happening to our family. He's our baby boy,' Jarmon's sister said in a post on Facebook. At least two people were killed in Williamson County, with one other person still missing at this time. In a social media post, Hope House, a home for children with disabilities, said their coworker Sherry Richardson, 64, was among those killed. 'Sherry was more than a coworker — she was a dear friend to so many in our staff,' the statement read. 'She loved our residents dearly and was an invaluable part of our mission. We are deeply grateful to the rescue workers and first responders who worked tirelessly to bring her home.' The Williamson County Sheriff's Office also recovered the body of Kaitlyn Swallow, 22, of Liberty Hill. Emergency management officials in Burnet County say five people are dead after flash flooding hit their county. Officials confirmed that ranch worker Preston Prince, 22, lost his life. Malaya Hammond, 17, and Walter Reed, 79, were also named among the victims. The son of William 'Govani' Venus, 57, confirmed to KXAN's Kevin Baskar that his father was among those killed. In a Facebook post, his son said Venus was a 33-year retired CSM Army veteran who had been deployed five times. A fifth victim has not yet been identified. One other person remains missing — Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department Chief Michael Phillips, who was swept away during a water rescue. Flooding in San Angelo on July 4 claimed one life. The body of Tanya Burwick, 62, was found several blocks away from where her vehicle had been found, according to the San Angelo Police Department. 'We ask that the public continue to keep the Burwick family in their thoughts and prayers as they navigate this heartbreaking tragedy,' the department wrote on Facebook. We will update this story as new information becomes available. Investigative Intern Elijah Carll and Investigative Producer Dalton Huey contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBC
4 days ago
- General
- CBC
Young sisters, beloved educators among Texas flooding victims
Authorities say more than 100 have been killed as search-and-rescue efforts ongoing Three newly minted second graders, including eight-year-old twin sisters from Dallas. A camp director who served as a surrogate father to the girls under his care. These are a few of the scores of victims lost in devastating flash floods in central Texas. The flooding in central Texas during a severe storm originated from the fast-moving waters on the Guadalupe River on Friday, killing more than 100 people. Authorities say search-and-rescue efforts are still underway, including for campers missing from a summer camp for girls. Mary Grace Baker Mary Grace Baker, who had recently celebrated her First Holy Communion, was among the victims at Camp Mystic from the flash foods, her school announced. "Mary Grace was a bright light in our close-knit school family, known for her kindness and friendship to all, her joyful spirit and her love for her faith and family," St. Anne Catholic School in Beaumont said on its Facebook page. "Her giggle was contagious, as was her spirit." Mary Grace, 8, had just completed second grade. The school's post described her as a "girls' girl who loved pink sparkles and bows in her signature angelic ringlet curls." The school asked its community to place pink ribbons in trees in honour of Mary Grace after she went missing following the floods. Joyce Badon Joyce Catherine Badon, a 21-year-old senior at the Savannah College of Art and Design, died in the flooding, the school said in an email to the college community. The architecture student was from Beaumont, Texas. "A beloved daughter, friend, and classmate, Joyce was passionate about using her artistry and talent to impact the world, and had recently helped redesign donation centers for Goodwill," the school said in an email. She was staying with three friends at a river home in Hunt, Texas. All had been reported missing. "At 4 a.m. this morning, a flash flood came through and washed their cars away," her mother, Kellye Badon, posted on Facebook on the Fourth of July. "It happened so quickly with so much water, they could not get in the attic." She said one of the friends called a parent as it was happening, then got washed away with two others. Kellye Badon said her daughter was the last person heard from on that call before the phone went dead. James and Cindy Rushing James and Cindy Rushing were camping along the Guadalupe River at the HTR TX Hill Country Campground on the Fourth of July when the flooding struck. "The amount of grief my family is feeling is immeasurable," their son, James Evan Rushing, wrote in a social media post. "My parents have been found, and they are unfortunately gone. My heart is broken into pieces." Embed | Other Open Full Embed in New Tab Loading external pages may require significantly more data usage than loading CBC Lite story pages. After the flooding, their daughter, Tamra Blasius, visited their campsite and found nothing left. "Everything gone — their camper, their truck, their belongings — completely washed away. There was no sign that anyone had ever been there. It was absolutely gut-wrenching," she wrote in a social media post on Saturday. On Monday, she wrote that her "worst fears were confirmed — my parents were found and identified, but tragically, they did not survive." Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence were eight-year-old sisters from Dallas who were among the victims killed by the flooding at Camp Mystic. The girls had just finished second grade, their parents said. Image | Texas Flooding Victims Caption: This undated photo shows eight-year-old twin sisters Hanna, left, and Rebecca Lawrence, right, of Dallas. (John Lawrence/The Associated Press) Open Image in New Tab "Hanna and Rebecca brought so much joy to us, to their big sister Harper and to so many others," John and Lacy Lawrence said in a statement. "We will find ways to keep that joy, and to continue to spread it for them. But we are devastated that the bond we shared with them, and that they shared with each other, is now frozen in time." David Lawrence, the girls' grandfather and former publisher of the Miami Herald, said that "it has been an unimaginable time for all of us." Did climate change worsen Texas floods? Yes, study suggests "They and that joy can never be forgotten," he said in a statement. University Park Elementary School, which Hanna and Rebecca attended, said on its website that "numerous" students were in the Texas Hill Country during the flooding and had to evacuate. The school did not immediately respond to a message left Monday morning. "We are deeply saddened to report the loss of multiple students, and our thoughts and prayers are with all of the families deeply affected by this unimaginable tragedy," the school said on its website. Reece and Paula Zunker Reece Zunker was described as "a passionate educator and a beloved soccer coach" by Tivy High School in Kerrville, Texas. "His unwavering dedication to our students, athletes, and the Tivy community touched countless lives and will never be forgotten," the school posted online on Sunday. Paula Zunker was a former teacher at the school. "The care and impact she shared with her students continue to be felt, even years later," the post said. The couple's young children, Lyle and Holland, were still missing, the school said. The family had been staying at a river house in Hunt. Dick Eastland Among the dead is Dick Eastland, the Camp Mystic director. Paige Sumner, a former camper, described him in a column in the local paper, the Kerrville Daily Times, as "the father figure to all of us while we were away from home." Sumner spent one summer working in the camp office, balancing accounts for the commissary, where campers bought snacks and other essentials like stamps. She wrote that her desk was outside Eastland's office. "He still put campers first in every situation," wrote Sumner, who is now the head of philanthropy at a community centre in Kerrville. "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." Eastland's grandson, George Eastland, wrote in an Instagram post that his grandfather showed him what a strong Christian man looks like. "If he wasn't going to die of natural causes, this was the only other way, saving the girls that he so loved and cared for," he wrote. In her column, Sumner noted that the camp had plans for rain. "Usually," she explained, "it means they deliver a special breakfast of sweet rolls to each cabin or singing songs in the Rec Hall. This level of flooding was unprecedented." In a brief telephone call as she grappled with the flood's aftermath at her own office, Sumner was reluctant to add more than she wrote in the column, saying the camp wanted privacy for the families. "We are still holding out hope," she said. "They are broken; they are in shock." Chloe Childress Chloe Childress was among the counsellors at Camp Mystic who died in the devastating floods. Childress, 19, "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 counsellor 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." Childress had just graduated from the Kinkaid School in Houston, which praised her as deeply invested in her community. "Chloe had a remarkable way of making people feel seen. She was wise beyond her years, with a steady compassion that settled a room," Jonathan Eads, the head of the school, said in a letter to the school's community on Sunday. "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." Janie Hunt, a relative of the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, was just nine years old. Her mother, Anne Hunt, confirmed her death to CNN, while her grandmother, Margaret Hunt, confirmed it to the Kansas City Star. The Chiefs franchise declined to comment. But Clark Hunt's wife, Tavia Hunt, posted on Instagram and urged people to rely on their faith. "If your heart is broken, I assure you God is near," Tavia Hunt, wrote in the post. "He is gentle with your wounds. And He is still worthy — even when your soul is struggling to believe it. Tanya Burwick 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. She and her brother Zac said the day was especially difficult because it happened on the Fourth of July as they were working at a fireworks stand that's been in the family for generations. As word of Tanya Burwick's disappearance spread, people from Blackwell, a small community of about 250 people, showed up to the stand that's run out of a trailer painted orange. "People came to our aid," Lindsey Burwick said. Police in San Angelo said more than 12,000 houses, barns and other buildings have been affected by the floods in the community of roughly 100,000 people. "We ask that the public continue to keep the Burwick family in their thoughts and prayers as they navigate this heartbreaking tragedy," the San Angelo Police Department said in a Facebook post. Jane Ragsdale 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 counsellor there herself in the 1970s before becoming a co-owner. By the 1980s, she was director of the camp in Hunt, Texas. "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." In a 2015 oral history for the Kerr County Historical Commission, Ragsdale, whose first name was Cynthie but who went by her middle name, Jane, talked about how her father was also a camp director and how much she enjoyed her experiences. "I loved every minute of camp from the first time I stepped foot in one," she said. Videos of Ragsdale strumming a guitar and singing to campers during a recent session were posted in a memorial on the camp's Facebook page: "Life is good today. So keep singing 'til we meet, again." Sarah Marsh Eight-year-old Sarah Marsh from Alabama had been attending Camp Mystic in Texas, a longtime Christian girls' camp in Hunt where several others were killed in the floods. As of Sunday, afternoon, 11 children were still missing. Sarah was a student at Cherokee Bend Elementary in suburban Birmingham. "This is an unimaginable loss for her family, her school, and our entire community," Mountain Brook Mayor Stewart Welch said in a Facebook post. "Sarah's passing is a sorrow shared by all of us, and our hearts are with those who knew and loved her." He said the community — where about 20,000 people reside — would rally behind the Marsh family as they grieved. Sarah's parents declined an interview request on Sunday "as they mourn this unbearable loss," the girl's grandmother, Debbie Ford Marsh, told The Associated Press in an email. "We will always feel blessed to have had this beautiful spunky ray of light in our lives. She will live on in our hearts forever!" Marsh wrote on Facebook. "We love you so much, sweet Sarah!" Image | APTOPIX Extreme Weather Texas Caption: A Camp Mystic sign is shown near the entrance to the summer camp along the banks of the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area, in Hunt, Texas, on Saturday. (Julio Cortez/The Associated Press) Open Image in New Tab She declined further comment. U.S. Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama also noted the girl's tragic death. "We continue to pray for the victims' loved ones, the survivors, those who are still missing, and our brave first responders as search and rescue efforts continue in Texas," she said in a post on social media platform X. Blair and Brooke Harber Sisters Blair and Brooke Harber, both students at St. Rita Catholic School in Dallas, had been staying along the Guadalupe River when their cabin was swept away, according to the school. Pastor Joshua J. Whitfield of St. Rita Catholic Community, which shares a campus with the school, said the girls' parents, Annie and RJ Harber, were staying in a different cabin and were safe. However, their grandparents were unaccounted for. Annie Harber has been a longtime teacher at the school. Blair, who was enrolled in advanced classes, was involved in numerous school activities from volleyball and basketball to speech and drama. Brooke was a rising Grade 6 student and athlete in volleyball and lacrosse, among other sports. She also participated in speech and drama, according to the church. Both were remembered for their kind hearts and warm personalities. "We will honor Blair and Brooke's lives, the light they shared, and the joy they brought to everyone who knew them," Whitfield wrote in a Saturday letter to parishioners. "And we will surround Annie, RJ, and their extended family with the strength and support of our St. Rita community." The church held a special prayer service Saturday afternoon and offered counselling. "Please keep the Harber family in your prayers during this time of profound grief," Whitfield wrote. "May our faith, our love, and our St. Rita community be a source of strength and comfort in the days ahead."
