Pictured: All the girls killed after Texas floods ravaged Camp Mystic
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.
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The Independent
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Deadly flooding in Kerr County, Texas, and areas around the Guadalupe River has claimed at least 95 lives, including 27 children and summer camp counselors. Search and rescue operations were ongoing on Monday as authorities continued to look for dozens of missing individuals amidst debris and floodwaters. City and county managers reported a significant outpouring of global donations to the Community Foundation, urging coordinated volunteer efforts through the Kerrville Salvation Army. Several organizations are seeking assistance, including Austin Pets Alive! for displaced animals, the Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce for rebuilding, and various foundations for flood relief. Other initiatives include Kendra Scott selling a bracelet with proceeds for victims, World Central Kitchen and Mercy Chefs providing meals, and local schools and the Salvation Army collecting relief items. How Americans are helping Texas flood victims – and what you can do
The Sun
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Sisters, 11 & 13, found dead with ‘hands locked together' after being swept 15 miles by floods as dad tried to save them
TWO young girls were found dead with their hands interlocked after raging floods ravaged Texas communities, killing dozens of people. Sisters Blair, 13, and Brooke Harber, 11, were on a trip with family in Hunt, Texas, when intense late-night flooding took place suddenly on Friday. 5 5 RJ Harber, the father, was awoken suddenly in his cabin at about 3:30 am to the sounds of rushing water in the home. Right around the same time, daughter Brooke texted her grandparents and father and said that she loved them. As the cabin flooded, RJ and wife Annie attempted to break a window to check on their daughters, who were staying with their grandparents in a cabin five houses down with two dogs. "At that point the water was rising one foot per minute," a GoFundMe for the family read. "The waters were too high to get to our family so he went to other neighbors to borrow a kayak." RJ was unable to reach the cabin in the kayak due to the rough conditions. He then fled to a nearby house with other survivors alongside his wife as the freezing waters had reached chin level. 5 "Houses started falling apart and floating away," Jennifer Harber, the victims' aunt, said. "I believe only 4 or 6 are left standing out of 20 houses in that community." Just 12 hours later, Brooke and Blair were found dead around 15 miles away. The girls were still holding each others hands when their bodies were located. Dad dies after having arm 'almost cut clean off' while saving wife & kids as they floated on mattress in Texas floods Their grandparents who were staying with them that night, Mike and Charlene Harber, are still missing. The sole survivor of the cabin found was the family's lab, who shockingly made it out of a window and found the parents at the house up the hill. The other dog also did not make it. "They were believers and one of their favorite classes was religion," Jennifer said of the girls. Message from Harber Family From Jennifer Harber: "My brother and his wife Annie identified the bodies of my nieces Blair age 13 and Brooke age 11 yesterday afternoon about 12 hours after the flood that started the morning of July 4th at 3:30am. My parents Mike and Charlene Harber have not been found as of now. Prayers are needed so we can bring them home. "My brother R.J. and Annie made it back to Dallas yesterday evening. "The storm woke them up at 3:30am and they wanted R.J. to walk five houses down towards the river in their gated community of Casa Bonita in Hunt, TX. to check on the girls who they had tucked in bed that night at 11pm. My parents were downstairs in the guest bedroom and my nieces were upstairs in the loft. My mom, dad and nieces stayed at that house because the house they owned was a one bedroom and the neighbors were kind enough to let them stay there since they were out of town. To my brothers surprise when he stepped out of bed their house had already started to flood. They said you couldn't hear it at all because the rain was so loud. If they had not woken up to check on the girls they would have drowned too. It's a miracle they got out they had to break a window and get out immediately. At that point the water was rising one foot per minute. The waters were too high to get to our family so he went to other neighbors to borrow a kayak. He woke two neighbors up for help saved their lives and borrowed a kayak but the water had risen too high to reach the neighbors house that my parents and nieces and their 2 dogs were at. He attempted by kayak and the house was only 5 houses down closest to the river but the waters were too rough. He knew he would be swept away there were white caps on the waves so kayaked back to where the other 6 survivors were. Rain pouring, loud thunder and lightning they had nightgowns on. Transmitters were going off everywhere. It was pitch dark. By the time they got out the water was up to Annie's chin. They said they were surprised they didn't have hypothermia it was freezing waters. RJ, Annie and the other 5 they woke somehow made it to a house on the other side of the flooded highway and strangers let all 7 in. Somehow their lab made it out of the window and I don't know how but found them across the flooded highway up the hill at that house. Their other dog did not make it. Shortly after they crossed the highway the houses in their gated community were swept away as were cars. Trees uprooted. Very shortly after they crossed the flooded highway houses started falling apart and floating away and I believe only 4 or 6 are left standing out of 20 houses in that community. "Brooke texted my brother, her Grandmother and Grandfather on Annie's side saying I love you at 3:30am. My nieces were upstairs in the loft. They were believers and one of their favorite classes was religion. Blair and I had a conversation about God and heaven two weeks earlier. They had their rosaries with them. Their bodies were found yesterday afternoon 15 miles away in Kerrville. When they were found their hands were locked together. "What RJ and Annie went through that morning was a nightmare. They were rescued that afternoon but were stuck in Hunt the Coast Guard couldn't even get to them. Annie was rescued by helicopter and I think RJ attempted another way earlier to get help. "I'm a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines and my amazing company is going to fly my nieces home from San Antonio after their autopsy and when they recover my parents their bodies too. "Brook and Blair will have a joint funeral at St. Rita. To be determined. We haven't even had time to figure out my parents. We need find them first. "We are beyond devastated and so heartbroken. Prayers are much appreciated and what we needed at this time. 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The Independent
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and other areas around the Guadalupe River, are picking up the pieces following deadly flooding that has killed at least 95 people since last week. Search and rescue operations were still underway on Monday as authorities scoured the area for dozens of others who remain missing amid the resulting debris and floodwaters. Authorities would not give an official tally of those still unaccounted for, saying operations were ongoing and that they have received a number of fake reports. At a press conference, city and county managers said donations have been pouring in from around the world to the Community Foundation. Anyone who wants to volunteer should contact the Kerrville Salvation Army and register. 'We need focused and coordinated volunteers. Not random people just showing up and doing what they do,' Mayor Joe Herring told reporters. 'We need to work together.' So, how can you aid flood victims? Here are some ways to help... Donate to help displaced pets Non-profit shelter Austin Pets Alive! says it needs monetary donations to support displaced pets. More than 50 animals have been transported from Kerr and Williamson counties. Kerrville and Kerr County need money The Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce has set up a rebuilding and recovery fund here. You can also give to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, which was set up by the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, or the San Angelo Area Foundation's disaster relief fund. Buy a bracelet Jewelry maker Kendra Scott has released a bracelet for people to buy. Proceeds from the sales will go to victims, their families and the affected communities. The Everlyne bracelet has quickly sold out, but the company is working to restock them and have them available for purchase in stores. Give a meal Restaurateur José Andrés' World Central Kitchen is on the ground helping to provide meals to grieving and displaced neighbors. They are specifically supporting the Camp Mystic community. You can donate to their efforts here. The group Mercy Chefs has also set up in Kerr County. "It's unimaginable, the damage and devastation, the loss of life, the missing people," Mercy Chefs co-founder Gary LeBlanc told WTVR. "An unspeakable tragedy for the people here." Help at a high school – or donate Alvin High School, which is located in Brazoria County, is collecting relief items. You can drop off water, hygiene items, and other supplies through Wednesday here. Humble Independent School District, in the Houston metro area, has its own drive and northwest Houston's Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District is hosting a gift card drive on Thursday. The Salvation Army's Kerrville Kroc Center has also asked for hygiene items, non-perishables, bleach, diapers and other items. Quench your thirst Two children in Fort Worth are raising money for Camp Mystic. They have a lemonade stand that was set up on Sunday, according to KDFW. They're also selling cookies.
