06-07-2025
Bodies of two school girls discovered as 27 children still missing after Texas floods
Blair Harber, 13, and Brooke Harber, 11, were among those killed in the flooding in Kerr County, Texas.
A devastated father has revealed how his two daughters, aged 13 and 11, have both perished after being caught in catastrophic flooding, whilst his parents remain unaccounted for.
Emergency teams continue searching through a ravaged central Texas terrain littered with twisted trees, capsized vehicles and debris-clogged wreckage in what appears to be an increasingly desperate hunt for survivors, including 27 girls who vanished when Camp Mystic was battered by a torrential deluge.
RJ Harber has confirmed that his daughters Blair, 13, and Brooke Harber, 11, both lost their lives in the Kerr County floods, though they were not present at Camp Mystic.
Speaking to CNN in tribute to the youngsters, he described Blair as someone who "was a gifted student and had a generous kind heart," whilst Brooke "was like a light in any room, people gravitated to her and she made them laugh and enjoy the moment."
Mr Harber also revealed to the broadcaster that his parents Charlene and Mike are missing, and he fears they too have perished, reports the Mirror.
Both girls attended St. Rita Catholic Community, where Blair was due to begin eighth grade and Brooke was set to start sixth grade, the school confirmed. A prayer service was held on Saturday afternoon to mourn and celebrate their lives.
It's understood the sisters had been staying with their grandparents beside the Guadalupe River, whilst their parents remained safe in a different cabin. "Please keep the Harber family in your prayers during this time of profound grief. May our faith, our love, and our St. Rita community be a source of strength and comfort in the days ahead," Fr. Joshua J.
Whitfield, pastor, implored in a message to his church members, as reported by CBS News.
The floods in Kerr County have claimed the lives of at least 43 individuals, including 15 children, with an additional eight fatalities confirmed in neighbouring counties.
Officials have yet to release information on the number of people still unaccounted for, aside from the children from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp situated along a river in Kerr County where the majority of the victims were found.
The Guadalupe River witnessed a catastrophic surge, with water levels rising 26 feet (8 metres) within a mere 45 minutes before dawn on Friday, resulting in the destruction of homes and vehicles. The threat persisted as heavy rainfall continued to batter areas around San Antonio on Saturday, with flash flood warnings and watches still in place.
Rescue teams employed helicopters, boats, and drones in their search efforts for those missing and to save individuals trapped in trees or cut off by roads that had been obliterated by the floods.
Governor Greg Abbott has assured that rescue operations will continue non-stop and mentioned that new regions are being scoured as the floodwaters recede. He has proclaimed Sunday to be a day of prayer across the state.
