Flash flooding claimed more than 100 lives in Central Texas. Here's what we know about the victims
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.
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.'
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 Lila Bonner, Janie Hunt, Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence, Sarah Marsh, Linnie McCown, Blakely McCrory, Renee Smajstrla and Mary Stevens.
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.'
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.'
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.'
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.'
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.'
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.
Braxton Jarmon was set to begin his Sophomore year at Glenn High School.
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 on Sunday that ranch worker Preston Prince lost his life.
The son of William 'Govani' Venus 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.
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.
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San Francisco Chronicle
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Boston Globe
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Renee had just completed second grade and aspired to play the lead role in an upcoming camp production, according to a 'Renee was a great classmate, friend and teammate,' the obituary said. 'Being an athlete but a cheerleader at heart, Renee often found herself rooting for both teams.' Advertisement Sally Graves Sally Sample Graves, 91, was killed in the Texas flood when her home was swept away by the rampaging waters, her family said. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Graves was with her son and his dog, granddaughter Sarah Sample said in an Instagram post. 'A powerful 30 ft wave destroyed her home, sweeping her and our dad downstream,' Sample wrote. Graves's son and his dog survived. 'We find solace knowing our dad was with her until the very end; caring for her as he has for years,' Sample added in her post. 'Her unwavering dedication to family has left an indelible mark on our lives.' 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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.' Eastland's grandson, George Eastland, wrote in an Instagram '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. Chloe Childress Chloe Childress was among the counselors 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 counselor 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,' her family said. 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. Advertisement
