Two private girls’ camps on the Guadalupe River are reeling after a near-biblical flash flood that rose 30 feet in just 45 minutes, swept away cabins, and left parents desperate for answers.
Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian retreat in Hunt, Texas, confirmed the heartbreaking deaths of three campers:
- Renee Smajstrla, 8
- Janie Hunt, 9
- Sarah Marsh (age not released)
Nearby, Heart O’ the Hills announced the loss of its beloved director and co-owner, Jane Ragsdale, remembered by staff as “the definition of strong and powerful.”
Kerr County officials say at least 24 people have died, with one additional fatality in neighboring Kendall County. The toll is expected to climb as floodwaters recede.
Dozens Still Missing
Late Friday, Sheriff Larry Leitha estimated 23–25 campers unaccounted for; that number has since fluctuated as dramatic rescues unfold:
- 237 people evacuated so far, including 167 by helicopter
- Four Mystic campers and a counselor found alive and air-lifted to safety
- 20+ names, from Linnie McCown to Molly Dewitt, still posted at reunification centers in Ingram and Kerrville
One viral photo shows a young girl clinging to a tree 12 miles downstream before a rescue team pulled her to safety.
An All-Out Rescue
Governor Greg Abbott has deployed 1,000+ state responders, 800 vehicles, 14 helicopters, and 12 drones. The Texas National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard are scouring rivers by air and on foot.
“We need God more than ever,” Abbott said at a late-night briefing, promising searches would continue “into the darkness of night.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised Coast Guard crews who are “punching through storms to evacuate Americans.”
Federal Backing
President Donald Trump called the flooding “shocking… a terrible thing,” pledging full federal support: “We’ll take care of them.” The administration has pledged emergency aid and is coordinating with state officials as rain threatens another 5–10 inches this weekend.
Vice President J.D. Vance added prayers and shared the Eternal Rest prayer on X: “Our nation’s heart breaks for Texas.”
A Community Waiting
Inside reunification centers, parents trade whispered updates and prayers.
- Ellen Toranzo is still searching for her daughter, Greta.
- Carrie Hanna longs for word on 8-year-old Hadley.
- Serena Hanor Aldrich, whose two daughters, ages 9 and 12, were rescued, says she’s grateful but urges camps to tighten weather protocols: “They should have been on top of it.”
Even as helicopters thrum overhead, the Guadalupe River’s sudden swell has locals stunned. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly admitted, “No one knew this kind of flood was coming.”
Finding Light After the Storm
While Camp Mystic’s riverfront cabins lie in ruins, one uncle’s post about Renee Smajstrla captures the bittersweet reality:
“She will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic.”
Search crews press on, families cling to faith, and Texas braces for more rain. But the state is united in its resolve, bolstered by prayers, federal aid, and an army of volunteers determined to bring every missing camper home.
A First Lady’s Message of Love and Support
On Saturday morning, Melania Trump took to X with a heartfelt statement. The post came after heartbreaking news that 27 people, including nine children, had died in the flash floods that overwhelmed areas like Kerr County and destroyed the beloved Camp Mystic.
“My heart goes out to the parents in Texas during this difficult time. I am holding you in my thoughts and sending prayers for strength, comfort, and resilience,” she wrote.
Her words echoed the emotions felt across the country as families await updates on the 20+ children still unaccounted for after the floodwaters ripped through cabins, roads, and homes.