Severe flooding in Central Texas claimed at least 82 lives and left at least 41 missing across the state, officials said Sunday.
KERRVILLE, Texas — Catastrophic and deadly flooding hit Central Texas on July 4, causing dozens of people to be reported missing and dead Saturday morning.
At least 82 people were confirmed dead as of Sunday evening, officials said in a press conference. Gov. Greg Abbott said there were 41 other people confirmed to be unaccounted for across the state.
In Kerr County, home to Camp Mystic among other youth camps, officials say searchers found the bodies of 68 people, including 28 children,
Kerr County and Kerrville officials say they are working closely with state and federal officials for assistance in the search and rescue operations.
“People need to know today will be a hard day,” Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. said during the news conference. “Please pray for our community.”
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said families can report people who are still missing by calling 830-258-1111 or by sending an email to floodrecovery@co.kerr.tx.us.
Reunification centers
The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office said people can call the Red Cross at 800-733-2767 to find out about missing loved ones. Reunification centers were set up at Ingram Elementary School in Ingram and the Arcadia Live Theater in Kerrville.
The following are North Texas families and children who are confirmed missing or are confirmed deceased by their families. Several more people are reported missing, but WFAA has not been able to confirm their status with family:
Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence
The 8-year-old twin granddaughters of Florida education advocate David Lawrence Jr. died during the flooding in Central Texas over the July Fourth weekend, as the Miami Herald reported. David is a founder of The Children’s Movement of Florida, an education advocacy nonprofit, and a former publisher of the Herald.
His granddaughters, Hanna and Rebecca, are from Dallas.
David provided the following statement to WFAA about the girls:
“It has been an unimaginable time for all of us. Hanna and Rebecca gave their parents John and Lacy and sister Harper, and all in our family, so much joy. They and that joy can never be forgotten.”
Blair and Brooke Harber
Two sisters, Blair and Brooke Harber, who attended St. Rita Catholic School in Dallas, were killed in the devastating floods that hit the Texas Hill Country, the school confirmed Saturday. The two were staying with their grandparents in a cabin along the Guadalupe River when the floods hit. Their grandparents are still missing as of Saturday evening.
Eloise Peck and Lila Bonner
Two close friends, eight-year-olds Eloise Peck and Lila Bonner, who were attending Camp Mystic, tragically died in the flooding. Pecks’ family confirmed her passing directly to WFAA. During a prayer service Sunday evening, Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church confirmed that Bonner died in the flood.
Jeff and Tanya Ramsey
Eric Steele confirmed to WFAA that his brother-in-law, Jeff Ramsey, is still missing after floodwaters rushed through the HTR campground along the Guadalupe River in Kerrville overnight on Friday, where the family was staying. His body was misidentified during search and rescue efforts, the family confirmed to WFAA.
Jeff’s wife, Tanya Ramsey, remains missing as of 11:15 a.m. Saturday.
Hadley Hanna
Carrie Crossman Hanna told WFAA she heard from Camp Mystic today that her daughter, Hadley Hanna, is one of the girls currently unaccounted for at Camp Mystic.
Robert and Joni Brake
Robert Brake, 67, and Joni Brake, 66, were visiting their youngest son, who lives in an RV near the Guadalupe River, when conditions worsened early Friday morning. The couple was staying in a nearby cabin at the time, and they haven’t been able to get a hold of them since the flooding began, the family said.
Tianna (Ty) Mabey
Ty Mabey of Mansfield was last seen around 5 a.m. at the HTR campground in Kerrville. Her family is hoping for information about her whereabouts. Anyone with information is asked to call Chelsey Rustenhaven at 469-951-3210.
Janie Hunt
Family confirmed that Janie Hunt is among the victims from Camp Mystic. Janie’s family, which includes the Hunt Oil Company and ownership of the Kansas City Chiefs, said the 9-year-old was attending the camp with several cousins.
“Our hearts are broken by the devastation from the floods….and the tragic loss of so many lives – including a precious Hunt cousin, along with several friend’s little girls,” Tavia Hunt, the wife of Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, wrote on social media.
Wynne Naylor
Young Wynne Naylor was visiting Camp Mystic from Dallas when she passed away alongside fellow campers, her aunt confirmed to WFAA.