Latest news with #CasisElementary
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Families confirm Austin children among Camp Mystic flood victims
AUSTIN (KXAN) – Family members have confirmed that multiple young girls attending Camp Mystic, a beloved Hill Country summer camp, did not survive the catastrophic flooding that struck the area over the July 4th weekend. Multiple sources also confirm the camp's longtime owner and director Dick Eastland died while trying to save a group of campers. Officials said the nearly 100-year-old camp, located along the Guadalupe River, was hosting roughly 750 children at the time. Austinite Michael McCown posted on Instagram that his daughter, Linnie, did not survive the flood at Camp Mystic. 'It's with the heaviest of hearts we must share that our sweet little Linnie is with the Lord in heaven,' McCown said on Instagram. 'She filled our hearts with so much joy we cannot begin to explain.' McCown confirmed Linnie was a student at Casis Elementary School in Austin. A vigil is planned outside the school at 7:15 p.m. Sunday. The family of camper Lila Bonner also confirmed to KXAN on Saturday that she was among those killed in the flooding. In a statement, her family said, 'We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly for others to be spared from this tragic loss.' 'The Eastlands are the most wonderful family in the world and Dick was trying to save five little girls,' former Mystic camper and the grandmother of one of the children rescued, Peggy Newman, said. Gov. Greg Abbott said Saturday that first responders have rescued more than 850 people in the last 36 hours. State and local officials have not released the names of those believed to be dead. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said Sunday morning that 59 people have died, including 21 children. Eleven Camp Mystic campers and one camp counselor remain unaccounted for. 'The rescue has gone as good as can be expected. Now it's time for the recovery,' said Kerr County Judge Roy Kelly. Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief W. Nim Kidd said Saturday that crews are still searching for possible survivors along the length of the Guadalupe River — in the water, on the ground and from the air. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, posted on X, 'So many lives lost. Others unaccounted for […] We are offering condolences, praying with the grieving, and giving thanks for the rescued.' This is a developing story and will be updated. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
8-year-old Austin girls, Linnie and Mary, among Texas flood victims from Camp Mystic
Two 8-year-old girls are the first from Austin to be publicly identified as victims of the raging flood waters that swept through Camp Mystic, their families and close friends confirm. Linnie McCown was a student at Casis Elementary in West Austin, her father, Michael, told the American-Statesman on Sunday. In an emotional social media post, he wrote: "She filled our hearts with so much joy we cannot begin to explain. We are going to miss her so very much but know she's up there shining bright." Mary Stevens, who attended Highland Park Elementary School in north-central Austin, also was among the victims, a family spokesman said. The spokesman shared a social media post written by her mother, Stacy, saying "you have left the most positive impact on everyone who knew you. I'm the luckiest that I got to be your mom and I will never stop loving you and trying to live life as you did. Fearless. Enthusiastic. Compassionate. And full of joy." "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. He has bigger plans for you," Stacy Stevens wrote. More: Camp Mystic director Dick Eastland dies while trying to save girls from Texas floods Casis Elementary school is hosting a prayer vigil Sunday night for community families who have been affected by the Kerrville floods, according to a social media post from the school. Austin school district Superintendent Matias Segura said Saturday night he was 'heartbroken' that some district families had been impacted by the Kerr County flooding. 'We know that some of our families and staff may be facing loss or uncertainty and we are coordinating with our crisis and counseling team to provide support and any needed services to our families and staff in the days ahead,' Segura said. At least 59 people, 21 of whom are children, have died in the Kerr County flooding along the Guadalupe River. The floodwaters devastated an area home to numerous children's summer camps, including Camp Mystic, a private Christian camp for girls. Search crews have been looking for missing people since early Friday morning, when heavy rains filled river banks. Segura urged families to seek help from their principal so the district can provide assistance. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 8-year-old Camp Mystic girls from Austin among Texas flood victims
