Texas flood maps show how deadly disaster unfolded at Camp Mystic
Some 27 children have been reported missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian girl's camp on the Guadalupe River, which rose more than eight metres in less than an hour on Thursday.
Several towns have been devastated by the severe floods, with 850 people evacuated from the area.
According to local new sources, five victims have been identified at the camp, including director Richard 'Dick' Eastland.
Among those that have died is eight-year-old camper Renee Smajstrla, whose family said 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.'
The floods also claimed the life of Jane Ragsdale, the director of another camp, Heart O' The Hills.
Camp Mystic is on the Guadalupe River near Hunt in Kerr County, central Texas.
At least 27 children were reported missing on the site after the river burst its banks, having risen eight metres overnight on Thursday.
The severe weather took campers by surprise as they celebrated the Fourth of July holiday.
Thirteen-year-old Elinor Lester, one of hundreds of campers at Mystic, said the centre was 'completely destroyed'.
She said some of her campmates were taken away by ambulance.
'It was really scary', she added.
Grim pictures of the camp after the disaster struck showed rooms deluged with muddy water and pieces of bedding and clothing strewn around.
A young girl was also pictured clinging to a tree, before being taken to safety by rescue workers.
Camp Mystic is a private Christian summer girls camp on the banks of the Guadalupe River in west central Texas.
It was established in 1926 on a site of cypress, oak and pecan trees.
According to the camp's website, its mission is to provide girls with a 'wholesome Christian atmosphere in which they can develop outstanding personal qualities and self-esteem'.
The camp was in the first week of its 'second term' which was scheduled to run from June 29 to July 26.
It is owned and led by Dick and Tweety Eastland, who have been at Camp Mystic since 1976.
They are the third generation to manage the camp, which has been in their family since 1939.
Around 700 girls were staying at Camp Mystic at the time of the flood.
Wardens began to rescue campers from midday on Friday after initially being unable to access the site.
Renee Smajstrla was the first victim at the camp confirmed dead following the deluge.
Her uncle Shawn Salta wrote on Facebook: 'Thank you to all our friends and family for all the prayers and outreach.
'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.
'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.'
Richard 'Dick' Eastland, the director of the camp, was also among identified as dead.
Lila Bonner, nine, was also among five victims at Camp Mystic, along with Eloise Peck, eight. Both attended the same primary school.
Eloise's mother Missy told Fox4News: 'Eloise was literally friends with anyone.
'Eloise had a family who loved her fiercely for the 8 years she was with us. Especially her Mommy.'
The other two victims were identified as Sarah Marsh and Janie Hunt.
Donald Trump said he and First Lady Melania were 'praying' for the victims of the flooding.
He wrote on Truth Social: 'The Trump Administration is working with State and Local Officials on the ground in Texas in response to the tragic flooding that took place yesterday.
'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!'
Vice President JD Vance said in a message on X: 'Our nation's heart breaks for the victims in Texas and their families. Just an incomprehensible tragedy.
'I hope everyone affected knows they're in the prayers of my family, and of millions of Americans.'
Kerr County Sheriff Larry L. Leitha told a press conference in Texas: 'Our thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones.
'We are working hard to locate anyone who is still missing and to ensure they are safe.'
Texas State Governor Greg Abbott wrote yesterday on X: 'Today I visited Camp Mystic. It, and the river running beside it, were horrendously ravaged in ways unlike I've seen in any natural disaster.
'The height the rushing water reached to the top of cabins was shocking. We won't stop until we find every girl who was in those cabins.'
Further rain is expected in parts of Texas on Sunday, with a flood alert still in place until 1pm local time. More Trending
The National Weather Service said that parts of the state, including Hill Country and along and east of the I-35 corridor could expect as much as another two to four centimetres of rain over the next few hours.
It said: 'Additional rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches are possible with isolated pockets of 10 inches somewhere in the watch area.
'It is very difficult to pinpoint where exactly the isolated heavy amounts will occur in this pattern. Stay Weather Aware!'
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
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BBC News
9 hours ago
- BBC News
Camp Mystic: A girls' summer camp cut short by deadly disaster
Camp Mystic, a Christian girls' camp perched on the banks of the Guadalupe River in Texas, was a place of laughter, prayer, and adventure just days the girls at the camp was eight-year-old Renee Smajstrla, smiling ear-to-ear in a picture taken on one of those days - "having the time of her life" with her friends. But the next day, the camp she, and so many other young girls loved, turned into the site of one of the deadliest flood disasters in recent Texas history. Smajstrla was among those killed."She will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic," her uncle Shawn Salta wrote on show the eerie aftermath: The bunk beds are still there - mud-caked and toppled over, silent witnesses of a summer camp cut short. Destroyed personal belongings are scattered across soaked interiors where children once gathered for Bible study and campfire songs. At least 59 people - among them camp's longtime director, Richard "Dick" Eastland, and several young campers - have been confirmed dead. Eleven of its campers and one camp counsellor remain missing. Many of the girls who remain missing were sleeping in low-lying cabins less than 500 feet from the riverbank, US media reports. Camp Mystic has been operated by the same family for generations, offering girls a chance to grow "spiritually" in a "wholesome" Christian atmosphere, according to its website. Families from all across Texas and the US send their daughters each summer to swim, canoe, ride horses, and form lifelong the beauty of the Guadalupe River, which draws so many to the area, also proved floodwaters arrived with little warning, ripping through the picturesque riverfront area that is home to nearly 20 youth camps. Though Camp Mystic suffered the greatest losses, officials say the scale of the disaster is the all-girls camp Heart O' the Hills also faced flooding. Its co-owner and director, Jane Ragsdale, was among the dead. Fortunately, the camp was out of session at the time. A statement from the camp said, "Most of those who were on camp at the time have been accounted for and are on high ground… We are mourning the loss of a woman who influenced countless lives and was the definition of strong and powerful." Questions are now mounting over why so many camps were situated so close to the river, and why more was not done to evacuate the children in Chip Roy, who represents the area, acknowledged the devastation while urging caution against premature blame."The response is going to be, 'We've gotta move all these camps - why would you have camps down here by the water?'" Roy said. "Well, you have camps by the water because it's by the water. You have camps near the river because it's a beautiful and wonderful place to be."As recovery efforts continue, families wait anxiously for news of the missing. Search and rescue teams - some navigating by boat, others combing through debris - are working around the County Sheriff Larry L Leitha said on Sunday that the search for survivors continues but noted that the numbers will continue to change and increase as time goes on."Until we can get them reunited families, we are not going to stop," City Manager Dalton Rice Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency, and officials warn the final toll may rise in the days to come.
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Pictured: All the girls killed after Texas floods ravaged Camp Mystic
At least five girls were killed and several missing after devastating flash floods swept through a Texas summer camp. Eleven girls are missing from Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, and five of their fellow campers have died after the rushing waters destroyed the all-girls private Christian summer camp. The total death toll has risen to 59, including 29 children, after the Guadalupe River flooded and surged by up to 30 feet above its usual water level Friday. The beloved director of Camp Mystic, Richard 'Dick' Eastland, 70, died while trying to save girls as a month's worth of rain dropped in a matter of minutes. One week before the tragedy, the camp shared videos on social media of the campers happily prancing around on stage during their first term chorus and dance production. The youngest campers slept on low-laying 'flats' inside the camp's cabins, whereas older girls slept in cabins on higher ground, according to the NYT. Most of the missing girls are from the younger age bracket, who were sleeping just yards away from the banks of the Guadalupe River. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said that some 750 girls had been staying at the camp when the floodwaters hit. Here is what we know about all of the girls who died in the flood: Renee Smajstrla, 8 The family of an eight-year-old Renee Smajstrla has confirmed that she was among those who lost her life during the tragic floods. Her uncle, Shawn Salta, shared on Facebook: '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.' Janie Hunt, 9 The mother of Dallas girl Janie Hunt confirmed to local media her daughter was one of the campers killed in the flood. 'We are just devastated,' she told NBC 5. Sarah Marsh, 8 Alabama native Sarah Marsh 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 The family of Lila Bonner, 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, who recently finished second grade at Bradfield Elementary with her best friend Lili, 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.' Multiple people lost their lives in the biblical flooding who were not attending Camp Mystic. The death toll currently stands at 59 - including 38 adults. Texas's Division of Emergency Management predicted the number of dead as a result of catastrophic flooding in Kerrville would top 100, sources told Daily Mail. People have been desperately posting about their missing friends and relatives in a bid to help the search effort to find them, following the flooding. Among the children, who were not attending the camp but tragically lost their lives, are two other young sisters who visiting their grandparents when the flood rushed through their cabin. Blair Harber, 13 Two sisters, Blair and Brooke Harber, were among those who were killed in the deadly Texas floods. They were not attending Camp Mystic when the natural disaster struck. They 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. Brooke Harber, 11 Brooke Harber, Blair's younger sister, was confirmed dead over the holiday weekend. Blair 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.' Missing girls from Camp Mystic At least 11 girls from Camp Mystic are missing from the camp. One counselor is also still unaccounted for, Larry Leitha, the county sheriff, said on Sunday morning. Camp Mystic attendees Kellyanne Lytal and Lainey Landry are among the missing children, according to KENS 5. Wrecked father, Ty Badon, told CNN on Saturday that his daughter and her friends are missing and have not been seen or heard from since the disastrous rush of water. His daughter, Joyce Badon, and her friends, Ella Cahill, Reese Manchaca and Aiden Heartfield were last heard from around 4am on Friday. Authorities and search teams are still making their way through the wreckage to hopefully account for those missing. Haunting photos from Sunday showed teams searching through vegetation, as young girls accompanied by adults walked around what is left of Camp Mystic. On Sunday, Donald Trump signed a major disaster declaration for Texas amid a swirl of criticism of his administration for making major cuts to federal funding, impacting agencies like FEMA which lead the response to natural disasters. 'I just signed a Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County, Texas, to ensure that our Brave First Responders immediately have the resources they need,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. 'These families are enduring an unimaginable tragedy, with many lives lost, and many still missing. 'The Trump Administration continues to work closely with State and Local Leaders. 'Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem was on the ground yesterday with Governor Greg Abbott, who is working hard to help the people of his Great State.
Metro
14 hours ago
- Metro
Texas flood maps show how deadly disaster unfolded at Camp Mystic
Flash floods have swept across Kerr County in central Texas, killing at least 51 people including 15 children. Some 27 children have been reported missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian girl's camp on the Guadalupe River, which rose more than eight metres in less than an hour on Thursday. Several towns have been devastated by the severe floods, with 850 people evacuated from the area. According to local new sources, five victims have been identified at the camp, including director Richard 'Dick' Eastland. Among those that have died is eight-year-old camper Renee Smajstrla, whose family said 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.' The floods also claimed the life of Jane Ragsdale, the director of another camp, Heart O' The Hills. Camp Mystic is on the Guadalupe River near Hunt in Kerr County, central Texas. At least 27 children were reported missing on the site after the river burst its banks, having risen eight metres overnight on Thursday. The severe weather took campers by surprise as they celebrated the Fourth of July holiday. Thirteen-year-old Elinor Lester, one of hundreds of campers at Mystic, said the centre was 'completely destroyed'. She said some of her campmates were taken away by ambulance. 'It was really scary', she added. Grim pictures of the camp after the disaster struck showed rooms deluged with muddy water and pieces of bedding and clothing strewn around. A young girl was also pictured clinging to a tree, before being taken to safety by rescue workers. Camp Mystic is a private Christian summer girls camp on the banks of the Guadalupe River in west central Texas. It was established in 1926 on a site of cypress, oak and pecan trees. According to the camp's website, its mission is to provide girls with a 'wholesome Christian atmosphere in which they can develop outstanding personal qualities and self-esteem'. The camp was in the first week of its 'second term' which was scheduled to run from June 29 to July 26. It is owned and led by Dick and Tweety Eastland, who have been at Camp Mystic since 1976. They are the third generation to manage the camp, which has been in their family since 1939. Around 700 girls were staying at Camp Mystic at the time of the flood. Wardens began to rescue campers from midday on Friday after initially being unable to access the site. Renee Smajstrla was the first victim at the camp confirmed dead following the deluge. Her uncle Shawn Salta wrote on Facebook: 'Thank you to all our friends and family for all the prayers and outreach. '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. '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.' Richard 'Dick' Eastland, the director of the camp, was also among identified as dead. Lila Bonner, nine, was also among five victims at Camp Mystic, along with Eloise Peck, eight. Both attended the same primary school. Eloise's mother Missy told Fox4News: 'Eloise was literally friends with anyone. 'Eloise had a family who loved her fiercely for the 8 years she was with us. Especially her Mommy.' The other two victims were identified as Sarah Marsh and Janie Hunt. Donald Trump said he and First Lady Melania were 'praying' for the victims of the flooding. He wrote on Truth Social: 'The Trump Administration is working with State and Local Officials on the ground in Texas in response to the tragic flooding that took place yesterday. '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!' Vice President JD Vance said in a message on X: 'Our nation's heart breaks for the victims in Texas and their families. Just an incomprehensible tragedy. 'I hope everyone affected knows they're in the prayers of my family, and of millions of Americans.' Kerr County Sheriff Larry L. Leitha told a press conference in Texas: 'Our thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones. 'We are working hard to locate anyone who is still missing and to ensure they are safe.' Texas State Governor Greg Abbott wrote yesterday on X: 'Today I visited Camp Mystic. It, and the river running beside it, were horrendously ravaged in ways unlike I've seen in any natural disaster. 'The height the rushing water reached to the top of cabins was shocking. We won't stop until we find every girl who was in those cabins.' Further rain is expected in parts of Texas on Sunday, with a flood alert still in place until 1pm local time. More Trending The National Weather Service said that parts of the state, including Hill Country and along and east of the I-35 corridor could expect as much as another two to four centimetres of rain over the next few hours. It said: 'Additional rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches are possible with isolated pockets of 10 inches somewhere in the watch area. 'It is very difficult to pinpoint where exactly the isolated heavy amounts will occur in this pattern. Stay Weather Aware!' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Last words of hero dad who died helping his family escape devastating Texas floods MORE: Legendary restaurant chain launches UK 'comeback' with new menu after rescue MORE: UK could see third heatwave in space of a month with temperatures climbing again
