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Herald Malaysia
5 days ago
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Two sisters, Catholic school students, lost in Texas flood remembered for faith and kindness
Two sisters who attended St. Rita Catholic School in Dallas were among the victims of the Texas Hill Country flash floods that have devastated parts of the state, the school confirmed in a statement on July 5, Saturday. Jul 08, 2025 The Guadalupe River, already spilling over its banks on July 4, 2025, (left), rose to a record breaking 47.4 feet on July 5 (right). | Credit: Sophie Abuzeid By Madalaine Elhabbal Two sisters who attended St. Rita Catholic School in Dallas were among the victims of the Texas Hill Country flash floods that have devastated parts of the state, the school confirmed in a statement on July 5, Saturday. Blair Harber, 13, and Brooke Harber, 11, were vacationing with their parents and grandparents on the Guadalupe River near Hunt, Texas. The flash flood raised the river more than 22 feet in half an hour in the early morning hours of July 4, dislodging and carrying away their cabin, in which they were staying with their grandparents. They were discovered in Kerrville, 15 miles from their cabin community, with their hands clasped together, according to reports. Their grandparents, Charlene and Mike Harber, have yet to be found. According to a message shared by their aunt, Jennifer, on a GoFundMe page started for the Harber family, the girls' parents, who were staying five cabins away from their children, awoke at around 3:30 a.m. on Friday to the sound of the storm and were forced to break a window in their cabin to escape. The girls' father, RJ, had attempted to kayak to the girls' cabin, but the water was too high and he was forced to turn around. The family reported receiving text messages from the girls sent as their cabin filled with water. 'Brooke texted my brother [her father], her grandmother and grandfather on Annie's side, saying 'I love you' at 3:30 a.m.,' the girls' aunt wrote. 'Blair and I had a conversation about God and heaven two weeks earlier. They had their rosaries with them.' The two girls will have a joint funeral at St. Rita's at a date that will be determined after their grandparents have also been found, according to the aunt's message. 'We are beyond devastated and so heartbroken,' she concluded. 'Prayers are much appreciated and what we needed at this time.' 'Young women of deep faith' 'Blair and Brooke were young women of deep faith, and religion was one of their favorite subjects. On the night they died, they went to the loft of their cabin with their rosaries,' the school said in its statement. 'Even in their last moments, they held tightly to each other, a powerful symbol of their lasting bond and their trust in God.' The school remembered Blair as having 'the kindest heart' and for being an 'an outstanding student,' who was both 'enrolled in advanced classes and actively involved in school activities.' Blair played several sports, including volleyball, basketball, lacrosse, and cheerleading. She was also a student ambassador, a member of the yearbook committee, and was involved in the school's speech and drama program. 'Brooke was an excellent student who brought joy and energy wherever she went,' the school said of the younger of the two sisters. Like her sister, Brooke was also actively involved in sports, including soccer, basketball, volleyball, and lacrosse, and was 'known for her spirit and determination.' Brooke also loved speech and drama, 'and had a particular gift for improv that brought smiles and laughter to those around her,' the school said. 'In this time of deep sorrow, we stay grounded in our faith and united in love. We will stand with the Harber family in the days to come, surrounding them with our prayers, compassion, and unwavering support,' the school said, adding: 'As a community of faith, we hold onto the hope and promise that Christ has defeated death, and that eternal life is waiting for those who love him.' Background Flash flooding in the Texas Hill Country began in the early hours of July 4. Heavy rainfall filled the creeks that emptied into the several rivers that wind through the normally arid hills known as the Texas Hill Country, located north and west of San Antonio and Austin. The Guadalupe River near where the girls had been staying rose so quickly that the National Weather Service's evacuation orders were not issued in time to evacuate. The river swelled over 22 feet in half an hour around 4 a.m. on July 4, according to local officials, devastating parts of the towns of Hunt, Kerrville, and Comfort. A girls' Christian summer camp in the area, Camp Mystic, has confirmed the deaths of 27 campers and counselors that had been missing, including an entire cabin of 8- and 9- year-old girls, according to local reports, bringing the overall death toll to at least 89 people. At least 850 people have been rescued. Ten campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic remain unaccounted for, according to CNN. Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller of San Antonio said a memorial Mass for the victims on July 6 at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Kerrville. President Donald Trump declared Kerr County a disaster area on July 6. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared a disaster for 15 counties on July 4, deploying more than 500 first responders, 14 helicopters, boats, high water vehicles, and drones. Abbott pledged at a press conference in Kerrville on Friday that rescuers 'will stop at nothing' to find every victim of the catastrophic flooding. Rivers continued to rise through the holiday weekend. In the early hours of Saturday, July 5, the Guadalupe River rose to a record 47.4 feet in Bergheim, Texas, about 50 miles from Kerrville.--CNA
Cedar News
6 days ago
- Climate
- Cedar News
Victims Identified in Texas Hill Country Floods as Death Toll Rises to 68 in Kerr County
KERR COUNTY, Texas (July 6, 2025) — The devastating floods that swept through Texas Hill Country have left a tragic mark, with officials confirming the identities of several victims as the death toll in Kerr County alone reaches 68, including 28 children. Authorities report that 10 campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic remain missing, while additional fatalities have been confirmed across Central Texas. Among the victims: Lila Bonner, a camper at Camp Mystic, was confirmed dead by her family. 'We are beyond grateful for the outpouring of support,' her mother wrote on Instagram. Richard 'Dick' Eastland, beloved director of Camp Mystic, died while trying to rescue campers. He passed away aboard a medical helicopter en route to a Houston hospital. 'It doesn't surprise me that his last act was one of sacrifice,' said a former camp columnist. Blair and Brooke Harber, sisters from Dallas and students at St. Rita Catholic School, were swept away when their cabin was overtaken by floodwaters. Their parents survived, but their grandparents remain unaccounted for. Sarah Marsh, 8, from Alabama, had been attending Camp Mystic when she lost her life. Her school and community expressed deep sorrow and called for prayers. Jane Ragsdale, 68, director of Heart O' the Hills camp, died during the flooding. The camp remembered her as 'the heart and soul' of the institution and a beacon of strength. Renee Smajstrla, a camper at Mystic, was confirmed dead by family. A tribute described her as 'living her best life' in her final days. Jeff Wilson, a veteran teacher in Humble ISD near Houston, also perished. His wife, Amber, and son, Shiloh, are still missing. Reece and Paula Zunker, a young couple and parents to two children, died in the floods. Their children remain missing. Reece, a beloved soccer coach at Tivy High School, was honored as a mentor and role model. Ai Lorio, 66, died inside his Ingram home. Family friends confirmed his death Sunday. Bobby and Amanda Martin were found dead, according to a family friend. They were remembered as 'compassionate and selfless.' Governor Greg Abbott confirmed an additional 10 deaths in other areas of Central Texas. Emergency responders continue search and rescue efforts, as dozens remain unaccounted for, particularly around Camp Mystic and the Guadalupe River. The Hill Country flood disaster is being described as one of the worst in decades, fueled by the remnants of Tropical Depression Chantal, which dumped up to 14 inches of rain in parts of Central Texas. Authorities urge residents to avoid flooded areas, stay updated with emergency alerts, and report missing persons immediately. This story will be updated as more victims are identified and recovery efforts continue.
News18
6 days ago
- News18
Texas Floods: Sisters Found Dead With 'Hands Locked' Had Sent 'I Love You' Text To Parents
Last Updated: Devastating floods in central Texas claimed 82 lives, including Blair (13) and Brooke Herber (11), who were found dead with their hands locked. Their grandparents are missing. The devastating floods in central Texas that claimed at least 82 lives, has left many families in moments of despair and grief. One such family is of Blair Herber (13) and Brooke Herber (11), the two sisters who were found dead with their hands locked. While their grandparents remain missing. The deadly disaster, triggered by rapid flooding of the Guadalupe River, struck during the July 4 weekend, upending families and holiday campers in the Hill Country region. The two young sisters from Dalla were on a family camping trip near the Guadalupe River and were swept away by floodwaters while staying in a cabin in the gated community of Casa Bonita in Hunt, the Associated Press reported. Luckily, their parents survived the flood. The sisters' bodies were found dead, still holding hands, nearly 15 miles from where they were last seen. Blair and Brooke were students at St. Rita Catholic School in Dallas. In the early hours of Friday, at around 3:30am, their parents, RJ and Annie Herber, were awakened by rising floodwaters. After waking up, they found a message from Brooke that simply read, 'I love you." According to a GoFundMe page set up by their aunt Jennifer, the same text was also sent to the girls' maternal grandparents, Mike and Charlene Herber, who are still untraceable. According to media reports, their parents attempted to reach their daughters but were unable to access the cabin due to the intense rain and flooding. They borrowed a kayak from neighbors and tried to paddle to the cabin but were eventually swept away by the current and had to be rescued along with five others. The girls' bodies were recovered 12 hours later, leaving the family devastated. The girls' aunt was reported as saying that the sisters hands were 'locked together". Meanwhile, authorities continue to search for survivors and the missing, though the full scale of the disaster remains uncertain. Both President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott have signed emergency disaster declarations, paving way to provide more aid to the region. Trump has stated he will likely visit the affected areas on Friday. The tragedy has left communities across Texas reeling, as families mourn their losses and volunteers work tirelessly to support ongoing rescue and recovery efforts. First Published:
