Latest news with #ReeceZunker
Fox News
10 hours ago
- Climate
- Fox News
Texas flooding victims include Dallas Catholic school sisters, camp counselor, Walmart employee
A beloved teacher and his wife. Young sisters staying with their grandparents. Multiple girls from a riverside summer camp and their father-figure camp director. These are some of the dozens of victims killed as gushing floodwaters swept across central Texas on Friday. The flooding originated from the swift waters of the swollen Guadalupe River as a storm pounded the region with torrential rain. The death toll has climbed to 82, with dozens more missing as of Monday morning. As the floodwaters receded, more victims were being identified and their stories shared. Reece and Paula Zunker Teacher and high school soccer coach Reece Zunker and his wife Paula were found dead following the devastating flash flooding in Kerr County. "Reece was a passionate educator and a beloved soccer coach," Kerrville Independent School District said in a statement. "His unwavering dedication to our students, athletes, and the Tivy community touched countless lives and will never be forgotten. "Paula, a former Tivy teacher, also left a lasting mark on our community," the statement continued. "The care and impact she shared with her students continue to be felt, even years later." The school district asked to keep the family "in your prayers," as the couple's two children, Lyle and Holland, were both still missing as of Sunday afternoon. Harber Family Blair and Brooke Harber, aged 13 and 11, were sleeping in a riverside cabin in Hunt, Texas, with their grandparents, Charlene and Mike Harber, when the torrent swept away their cabin. The girls' parents, R.J. and Annie, were staying five houses down from them and awoke at 3:30 a.m. to go check on the girls during the storm but found their house had already started to flood. The family detailed their story in a GoFundMe post, sharing how the pounding rain masked the sound of the floodwaters in the home, which they said were "rising one foot per minute." R.J. and Annie broke a window to escape the flooded home and borrowed a kayak from a neighbor to try to reach their children. "But the water had risen too high to reach the neighbor's house that my parents and nieces and their 2 dogs were at," the post read, detailing how the waters were rough and had white caps. The bodies of Blair and Brooke were found 15 miles away in Kerrville. "When they were found their hands were locked together," the family said. The sisters were both students at St. Rita Catholic School in Dallas. Charlene and Mike had yet to be found at the time of the fundraising post. 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 mother was a beloved parent, grandparent and colleague to many. 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 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." Dick Eastland Dick Eastland was the director and co-owner of Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp on the banks of the Guadalupe River. Those who knew Eastland said he made the ultimate sacrifice trying to save his campers from the flood. "Camp Mystic's Dick Eastland no doubt gave his life attempting to save his campers," Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, wrote on X. "For decades he and his wife Tweety poured his life into loving and developing girls and women of character. Thank you Mr. Eastland. We love you and miss you." Paige Sumner, a former camper and friend of Eastland, wrote in the Kerrville Daily Times: "It doesn't surprise me at all that his last act of kindness and sacrifice was working to save the lives of campers. He had already saved so many lives with the gift of Camp Mystic." Katharine Somerville, a camp counselor at Camp Mystic's Cypress Lake location, told "Fox News Live" on Sunday that the camp director was among the "most selfless men in the whole world" and "a father figure, a comforting force in the uncertainty of everything." Lila Bonner and Eloise Peck Lila Bonner and Eloise Peck were best friends and cabinmates at Camp Mystic. The girls were from Highland Park, a city near Dallas. They had both recently finished second grade at Bradfield Elementary. Janie Hunt Janie Hunt was one of the Camp Mystic campers who died in the devastating floods over the weekend. She was just 9 years old. Janie was a family member of Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt. Clark's wife, Tavia, said the family was devastated in an Instagram post. "Our hearts are broken by the devastation from the floods in Wimberley and the tragic loss of so many lives – including a precious little Hunt cousin, along with several friend's little girls," Tavia Hunt wrote. Anna Margaret Bellows Anna Margaret Bellows, an 8-year-old from Houston, was also attending Camp Mystic. Her parents confirmed to Fox News that she died in the flood. Renee Smajstrla Renee Smajstrla, an 8-year-old from Ingram, Texas, was another of the Camp Mystic girls confirmed to have died. "Renee has been found and while not the outcome we prayed for, the social media outreach likely assisted the first responders in helping to identify her so quickly," Renee's uncle, Shawn Salta, told Fox News in a statement. "We are thankful she was with her friends and having the time of her life, as evidenced by this picture from yesterday. She will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic. Please continue to pray for the other families in Kerrville. " Linnie Anne McCown Linnie Anne McCown, an 8-year-old from Austin, was confirmed to have died in the flood at Camp Mystic. Her father Michael told Fox News, "She loved dance, gymnastics and was the sweetest girl to everyone she met." Sarah Marsh Sarah Marsh, an 8-year-old girl from Mountain Brook, Alabama, was spending the summer away from home at Camp Mystic. Marsh was a student at Cherokee Bend Elementary in suburban Birmingham. "Our family is completely devastated by the loss of Sarah and her dear friends at Camp Mystic," the Marsh family said in a statement to Fox News. "This is a tragedy that no parent can prepare for and it will never be right this side of Heaven. "While we are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love and support we have received, we request privacy as we navigate the unimaginable steps ahead," the family continued. "We continue to keep the fellow campers, staff, and families in our prayers – for their rescue and return home." Mary Kathryn Jacobe Mary Kathryn Jacobe, 8, was also killed in the flood at Camp Mystic, FOX26 Houston reported. Mary's family told the outlet that the girl was "fun, compassionate and kind." "We will miss her dearly," the family said.
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Who are the Texas flood victims?
At least 82 people were killed and dozens are missing after devastating flash floods swept through Texas on the Fourth of July. The death toll is expected to rise and Gov. Greg Abbott said Sunday that there were 41 people confirmed to be missing and 'there could be more.' Survivors have described the floods as a 'pitch black wall of death' and said they received no emergency warnings. Officials have come under scrutiny as to why residents and youth summer camps along the river were not alerted sooner about the severe weather or told to evacuate. Julian Ryan, 27 - Died saving his family Heroic father Julian Ryan (left), 27, used his final moments to save his family from the fast-moving waters. The father-of-two selflessly punched through a window of their home in Kerrville, just off the Guadalupe River, to help his mother, his fiancée and the couple's 6-year-old and 13-month-old children 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.' Reece and Paula Zunker High school soccer coach, Reece Zunker (top right), and his wife, Paula (top left) were among those who died in the devastating floods that swept through Texas on Friday. Reece was teacher and soccer coach at Tivy High School in Kerrville, and Paula was formerly a teacher at the school. The couple's two young children, Lyle (left) and Holland (right), were both still missing as of Sunday afternoon. 'It is with profound sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of one of our beloved teachers, Reece Zunker, and his wife, Paula, who tragically lost their lives in the flash flood on July 4th,' the Kerrville Independent School District said in a statement. 'Reece was a passionate educator and a beloved soccer coach. His unwavering dedication to our students, athletes, and the Tivy community touched countless lives and will never be forgotten. 'Paula, a former Tivy teacher, also left a lasting mark on our community. The care and impact she shared with her students continue to be felt, even years later.' Jeff Wilson, 55 - Beloved teacher Renee Smajstrla, 8 Janie Hunt, 9 - Cousin of the Kansas City Chiefs owner Sarah Marsh, 8 Alabama native Sarah Marsh (pictured) died after the waters swept through Camp Mystic, according to her family. 'Thank you for the outpouring of love and sympathy! 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! We love you so much sweet Sarah,' her grandmother said, according to The Kerrville Daily Times. Lila Bonner, 9 - Attending camp with her best friend The family of Lila Bonner (right), who was sharing a cabin at the camp with her best friend Eloise Peck, confirmed her passing to NBC News. 'In the midst of our unimaginable grief, we ask for privacy and are unable to confirm any details at this time,' the family said. 'We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly for others to be spared from this tragic loss.' Eloise Peck, 8 Dallas girl Eloise Peck (right), who recently finished second grade at Bradfield Elementary with her best friend Lilia, also died in the flood. 'Eloise was literally friends with everyone. She loved spaghetti but not more than she loved dogs and animals,' her mother, Missy Peck, told FOX 4 . 'She passed away with her cabinmate and best friend Lila Bonner who also died. Eloise had a family who loved her fiercely for the 8 years she was with us. Especially her Mommy.' Blair Harber, 13 - Died holding on to younger sister Two sisters, Blair (left) and Brooke Harber (right), were among those who were killed in the deadly Texas floods. They were not attending Camp Mystic when the natural disaster struck. The sisters 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. As the parents were desperately searching for the girls, they checked their phones and saw they each received a text from their daughters that read 'I love you', timestamped at 3.30am. The girls also sent a similar message to their grandfather in Michigan. Brooke Harber, 11 Brooke Harber (center), Blair's younger sister, was confirmed dead over the holiday weekend. The sisters were found holding hands. Blair (left of center) and Brooker were eighth grade and sixth grade students respectively at St. Rita Catholic School, according to their priest, Father Joshua J. Whitfield. 'Even if we may never fully understand why such tragedies happen, we are called to respond with love, compassion, and prayer,' Whitfield said. 'We will honor Blair and Brooke's lives, the light they shared, and the joy they brought to everyone who knew them.' Richard 'Dick' Eastland, 70 - Hero camp director Beloved Camp Mystic Director Richard 'Dick' Eastland (pictured), 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. Chloe Childress, 18 Camp Mystic counselor Chloe Childress (pictured) 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.'
Daily Mail
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Beloved high-school soccer coach and wife become latest Texas flood victims... with their two children still missing
A high-school soccer coach and his wife were among those who died in the devastating floods that swept through Texas on Friday, it has been announced. Reece Zunker, a teacher and soccer coach at Tivy High School in Kerrville, and his wife Paula, who was formerly a teacher at the school, tragically lost their lives after the Guadalupe River in Kerr County flooded and surged by up to 30 feet above its usual water level in the early hours of July 4. The couple's two young children, Lyle and Holland, were both still missing as of Sunday afternoon. 'It is with profound sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of one of our beloved teachers, Reece Zunker, and his wife, Paula, who tragically lost their lives in the flash flood on July 4th,' the Kerrville Independent School District said in a statement. 'Reece was a passionate educator and a beloved soccer coach. His unwavering dedication to our students, athletes, and the Tivy community touched countless lives and will never be forgotten. 'Paula, a former Tivy teacher, also left a lasting mark on our community. The care and impact she shared with her students continue to be felt, even years later.' — kerrvilleisd (@kerrvilleisd) July 6, 2025 The Tivy boy's soccer team also paid tribute to Reece, who taught at the school for 12 years, describing him as a 'leader and inspiration'. 'Coach Reece Zunker was not just a soccer coach he was a mentor, teacher and a role model for our Kerrville kids,' the team said in a post on Facebook. '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.' School officials in Texas urged the community to keep the Zunker family 'in your prayers' with Lyle and Holland still missing. According to Fox News, they were vacationing at a river house in Hunt, near Camp Mystic - where several children are still unaccounted for. Reece's last post on Facebook, which he made on June 15, reveals that the couple were celebrating their 11th anniversary last month. He wrote alongside a photo of them together: 'Late delivery, but it's because we were busy having a great night! Here's to 11 years and many more to come! Love you babe! Happy Anniversary! The devastating floods have claimed the lives of at least 82 people, including five young girls aged between eight and nine whose summer camp - Camp Mystic - was swept away. At the time of writing rescuers have found the bodies of 40 adults and 28 children. The wife of Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt has confirmed the tragic loss of a family member as a result of the devastating Texas floods. Clark's wife, Tavia, revealed that Janie Hunt - a young cousin in the family - was part of the Camp Mystic campers who died. Taking to Instagram, she wrote: 'Our hearts are broken by the devastation from the floods in Wimberley and the tragic loss of so many lives — including a precious little Hunt cousin, along with several friend's little girls. 'How do we trust a God who is supposed to be good, all knowing and all powerful, but who allows such terrible things to happen — even to children? 'That is a sacred and tender question — and one the Bible doesn't shy away from. Scripture is filled with the cries of those whose hearts have been shattered, who still wrestle to trust the same God they believe allowed the pain.' A total of 11 girls are missing from Camp Mystic after the rushing waters destroyed the all-girls private Christian summer camp.
Fox News
a day ago
- Sport
- Fox News
High school soccer coach, wife identified as death toll rises after Texas floods; two children remain missing
School officials in Texas announced Sunday that Reece Zunker, a teacher and high school soccer coach, and his wife, Paula, were found dead following the devastating flooding that swept through Kerr County, Texas, on Friday. The Kerrville Independent School District released a statement confirming the deaths of the Tivy High School boy's soccer coach and his wife, who was also formerly a teacher at Tivy. "It is with profound sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of one of our beloved teachers, Reece Zunker, and his wife, Paula, who tragically lost their lives in the flash flood on July 4th," the statement read. "Reece was a passionate educator and a beloved soccer coach. His unwavering dedication to our students, athletes, and the Tivy community touched countless lives and will never be forgotten. "Paula, a former Tivy teacher, also left a lasting mark on our community. The care and impact she shared with her students continue to be felt, even years later." School officials in Texas also made a plea to keep that family "in your prayers," revealing that the couple's two children, Lyle and Holland, were both still missing as of Sunday afternoon. According to reports, the family was vacationing at a river house in Hunt, near Camp Mystic, where several children are still unaccounted for. The Tivy boy's soccer team also released a statement remembering Zunker, whom they called a "leader and inspiration." "Coach Reece Zunker was not just a soccer coach he was a mentor, teacher and a role model for our Kerrville kids," the post on Facebook read. "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." Zunker taught at Tivy High School for 12 years, according to KENS 5. Over a dozen campers were confirmed dead as of Sunday afternoon, Kerr County officials said. One counselor and 11 campers remained unaccounted for while the death toll across Central Texas climbed to nearly 70 on Sunday. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
News.com.au
a day ago
- Climate
- News.com.au
Texas flood death toll hits 59, 11 girls, one counsellor still missing
The death toll from the catastrophic Texas Hill Country floods has risen to 59 — with at least 12 people still missing. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said among those confirmed dead are 38 adults and 21 children, but 18 adult victims and four children have not yet been identified. Mr Leitha said that 11 girls and one counsellor are still missing from Camp Mystic, the Christian girls' summer camp just off the banks of the Guadalupe River. Five campers, ages 8 and 9, have been confirmed dead in the flooding — along with the camp's owner. When asked why the camps weren't evacuated before the water level rose, and whether emergency alerts went out in time, Mr Leitha and city manager Dalton Rice declined to comment, abruptly ending Sunday's 10am press conference. Some 400 first responders from 20 agencies city, state and national are continuing the rescue operation in Kerr County, which saw the worst of the flash flooding along the river. 'We will continue our search efforts until everyone is found,' Mr Leitha assured. The three victims identified Saturday include a high school soccer coach and his wife and a beloved high school teacher. Reece Zunker, a soccer coach in Tivy, Texas, and his wife Paula, who were on vacation with their two children when the flooding swept through Kerr County Friday, were among the latest victims identified by officials. 'Our Tivy Soccer & KISD community is heartbroken with the loss of our leader and inspiration,' Tivy Boys Soccer wrote on Facebook Saturday night.'The Coach Reece Zunker was not just a soccer coach he was a mentor, teacher and a role model for our Kerrville kids.' Local outlet the Kerrville Daily Times reported that the two children were still missing. The family had been staying in a river house in the town of Hunt, not far from Camp Mystic. Also confirmed among the dead is Jeff Wilson, a teacher at Kingswood Park High School who taught in the Humble Independent School District for 30 years, the school wrote on X. 'Tonight our [Humble Independent School District] family is grieving the devastating loss of teacher Jeff Wilson, who passed away due to the catastrophic flooding in Kerrville,' the mourning social media post read. 'He was a beloved teacher and co-worker to many and will be deeply missed.' The district added that Wilson's brother-in-law shared that his wife, Amber, and son, Shiloh are still considered missing. 'Please continue to keep their entire family, and ours, in your prayers,' the district urged. Officials will provide the latest on the rescue effort in a press conference scheduled for 4 p.m. EDT Sunday (6am Monday AET). The camp, which hosts up to 750 girls aged seven to 17, was overwhelmed by the floodwaters, which at one point saw the river swell by eight metres in just 45 minutes. 'The camp was completely destroyed,' Elinor Lester, 13, one of the evacuated campers, told The Associated Press. 'A helicopter landed and started taking people away. It was really scary.' The family of Mystic's director, Dick Eastland, confirmed he heroically died while trying to save the young girls from the storm. Mr Eastland raced to one of the camp's 23 cabins when the floodwater swept it away early Friday morning, Channel2Now reported. He had been involved with the private all-girls Christian camp since purchasing it in 1974 with his wife Tweety. His nephew confirmed his death via Facebook. Former camper Paige Sumner said Mr Eastland and 'was the father figure to all of us while we were away from home at Camp Mystic for six weeks'. 'He was the father of four amazing boys, but he had hundreds of girls each term who looked up to him like a dad,' she wrote. 'I would never have taken a fishing class if it wasn't taught by my new friend Dick.' Harrowing photographs showed the damage wrought by the floodwaters, which reached the middle of the windows of the cabins where the girls slept, and higher than the bunk beds. Entire walls were ripped off the buildings, trees uprooted and the girls' belongings tossed into shrubbery. The National Weather Service first issued a flash flood watch at 1.18pm on Thursday estimating up to seven inches of rising water. At 1.14am, a 'life threatening' flash flood warning was issued for about 30,000 people, the Texas Tribune reported. Grilled about the suddenness of the flooding overnight and why more precautions weren't taken, Judge Rob Kelly, the chief elected official in Kerr County, told reporters 'we do not have a warning system' and that 'we didn't know this flood was coming'. 'Rest assured, no one knew this kind of flood was coming,' he said. 'We have floods all the time. This is the most dangerous river valley in the United States.' The camp is currently without power or internet. A statement from its administrators, read out by the Lieutenant governor, stressed that the level of flooding was 'catastrophic'. 'The highway has washed away, so we are struggling to get more help,' the camp said. The communications problems are being exacerbated by the camp's rule of imposing a ban on technology for the children staying there. 'Technology is actually not allowed there,' said NewsNation reporter Tracy Walder, whose daughter is friends with some of the missing kids. 'That's why communication and information is kind of a bit difficult to come by.' Mr Abbott, in a written statement, said Texas was 'providing all necessary resources to Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt and the entire Texas Hill Country dealing with these devastating floods'. 'The state of Texas today has mobilised additional resources in addition to the resources sent in preparation for the storms. I urge Texans to heed guidance from state and local officials and monitor local forecasts to avoid driving into flooded areas.' Texas Senator Ted Cruz, asked his followers on social media to 'pray right now' for all involved, 'especially Camp Mystic'. 'It's terrible, the floods,' US President Donald Trump told reporters Friday night. 'It's shocking.' Asked if Texas would receive federal aid, he said: 'Oh yeah, sure, we'll take care of it. We're working with the governor.' In a post on Truth Social on Saturday, Mr Trump said the federal government was working with state and local officials in response to the 'tragic flooding'. 'Our Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, will be there shortly,' he wrote. 'Melania and I are praying for all of the families impacted by this horrible tragedy. Our Brave First Responders are on site doing what they do best. GOD BLESS THE FAMILIES, AND GOD BLESS TEXAS!' Meanwhile, officials are warning residents of the area to continue being vigilant. 'The rain has let up, but we know there's another wave coming,' Mr Martin said, adding that more rain would be hitting areas around the cities San Antonio and Austin. Forecasters issued a flood warning for one county, urging those living near the Guadalupe River to 'move to higher ground'. Flash floods, which occur when the ground is unable to absorb torrential rainfall, are not unusual in the region.
