At least five girls were killed and many more went missing on July 4th when devastating flash floods rushed into a Texas summer camp.
Eleven girls went missing and five campers were killed when rushing waters destroyed the all-girls private Christian summer camp Camp Mystic near Hunt, Texas.
69 people, including 21 children, were killed Friday when the Guadalupe River flooded and swelled by up to 30 feet above its normal water level.
As a month’s worth of rain fell in a matter of minutes, Richard “Dick” Eastland, 70, the adored director of Camp Mystic, died while trying to save girls.
A week prior to the tragedy, the camp shared videos of the children having a great time dancing on stage during their first term choral and dance production on social media.
The NYT claims that the youngest children slept on low-lying “flats” inside the camp’s cabins, while the older females slept in rooms on higher ground.
A few yards from the banks of the Guadalupe River, the majority of the missing girls were sleeping.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said that when the floodwaters hit, there were about 750 girls living at the camp.
The following is what we know about each of the women who died in the flood.
Smajstrla Renee, 8
According to her family, eight-year-old Renee Smajstrla was among those who died in the devastating floods.
“This photo from yesterday shows that she was having a great time with her friends, and we are grateful for that,” her uncle Shawn Salta posted on Facebook.
“Her greatest life will always be at Camp Mystic.”
Janie Hunt, age nine
A Dallas girl named Janie Hunt told the local press that her daughter was one of the campers who died in the flood.
“We are simply heartbroken,” she said to NBC 5.
Sarah Marsh, age eight
Sarah Marsh, an Alabama native, died after the waves swept over Camp Mystic, according to her family.
“I appreciate all of the love and sympathy that has been expressed! We will always consider ourselves fortunate to have had this lovely, feisty light in our lives. She will always be a part of our hearts! According to The Kerrville Daily Times, her grandmother said, “Sweetheart Sarah, we love you so much.”
Lila Bonner, age nine
Lila Bonner’s family confirmed her death to NBC News. At the camp, Bonner shared a cabin with Eloise Peck, her best friend.
The family stated, “We are unable to confirm any details at this time and ask for privacy in the midst of our unimaginable grief.”
“We are praying fervently for others to be spared from this tragic loss, and we are in deep sorrow for everyone who loved her.”
Eloise Peck, age eight
Eloise Peck, a Dallas girl who had recently finished second grade at Bradfield Elementary with her best friend Lili, was also killed by the flood.
“Everyone was actually friends with Eloise.” Her mother, Missy Peck, told FOX 4 that her daughter loved spaghetti, but not more than she loved dogs and other animals.
She died along with Lila Bonner, her best friend and cabinmate. During her eight years with us, Eloise was devotedly loved by her family. In particular, her mother.
A number of those who died in the biblical floods were not at Camp Mystic.
Of the 67 people who have died so far, 38 are adults.
The Division of Emergency Management in Texas predicted that more than 100 people would die as a result of the devastating flooding in Kerrville, according to people who spoke to the Daily Mail.
In an effort to help with the search for their missing friends and family, people have been posting about them frantically since the flooding.
Among the children who tragically died even though they were not at the camp were two more young sisters who were visiting their grandparents when the flood rushed through their cabin.
Blair Harber, age 13
Blair and Brooke Harber, two sisters, lost their lives in the deadly floods in Texas.
They weren’t at Camp Mystic when the natural disaster struck.
The girls were at a cottage on the Guadalupe River with their grandparents when they were washed away, according to FOX 4.
The girls’ parents were staying at another property and are safe. Their grandparents, Mike and Charlene Harber, are not there.
Harber Brooke, 11
Brooke Harber, Blair’s younger sister, was formally pronounced dead over the holiday weekend.
Blair and Brooker went to St. Rita Catholic School in the eighth and sixth grades, respectively, according to their pastor, Father Joshua J. Whitfield.
Whitfield stated, “We are called to respond with love, compassion, and prayer, even if we may never fully understand why such tragedies happen.”
“We will celebrate the lives of Blair and Brooke, the joy they brought to everyone they knew, and the light they shared.”
Girls missing after being lost in the flood
At least eleven girls have left Camp Mystic.
Larry Leitha, the county sheriff, declared on Sunday morning that one counselor was still unaccounted for.
According to KENS 5, two of the missing kids are Camp Mystic attendees Kellyanne Lytal and Lainey Landry.
Ty Badon, a distraught father, told CNN on Saturday that his daughter and her friends have not been seen or heard from since the disastrous water rush.
His daughter Joyce Badon and her friends Aiden Heartfield, Reese Manchaca, and Ella Cahill were last heard from at four in the morning on Friday.
On Sunday, disturbing photos showed groups searching through the brush and young girls walking with adults around the ruins of Camp Mystic.
Donald Trump signed a massive disaster designation for Texas on Sunday amid a barrage of criticism aimed at his administration for large federal budget cuts that impact agencies responsible for responding to natural disasters, such as FEMA.
Trump posted on Truth Social, “I just signed a Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County, Texas, to ensure that our Brave First Responders have the resources they need immediately.”
These families must cope with an unimaginable tragedy as a result of the numerous lives lost and the numerous missing.
“The Trump Administration is still in close contact with local and state leaders.”
“Governor Greg Abbott is working tirelessly to assist the citizens of his Great State, and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem was on the ground yesterday with him.”
More than 850 lives have been saved by our amazing U.S. Coast Guard and State First Responders. May God bless Texas and the families!
