Over 100 Dead in Texas Flooding as Christian Campers Remain Missing

Texas is reeling from one of the most devastating natural disasters in recent memory, as at least 104 people 28 of them children have been confirmed dead following flash floods that struck over the Fourth of July weekend. Dozens remain missing, and officials warn the toll could still rise.

The most harrowing losses center around Camp Mystic, a beloved Christian girls’ summer camp in Kerr County, where around two dozen young campers and counselors were caught in the floodwaters along the Guadalupe River.

Governor Greg Abbott vowed Sunday that the state will not rest until every missing child is accounted for. “We will remain 100 percent dedicated, searching for every single one of the children who were at Camp Mystic,” Abbott said.

Among the victims:

• Dick Eastland, 74, Camp Mystic’s longtime director, was killed trying to save campers.

• Chloe Childress, 18, a counselor who had just returned to the camp she loved, died during the flooding.

• Twin sisters Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence, just 8 years old, lost their lives together, leaving behind a shattered family.

• Ten girls and one counselor are still missing, as recovery teams comb the riverbed.

George Eastland, the director’s grandson, wrote in tribute “If he wasn’t going to die of natural causes, this was the only other way saving the girls that he so loved and cared for.”

Childress’ family described her as filled with “contagious joy, unending grace, and abiding faith.” She had returned to Camp Mystic to mentor younger girls what should have been a joyful summer turned to heartbreak.

Families across Kerr County and beyond are mourning. Hanna and Rebecca’s parents spoke through grief to thank supporters:
“We are devastated that the bond they shared with each other is now frozen in time. We will find ways to keep that joy, and to continue to spread it for them.”

In total, 84 of the 104 deaths occurred in Kerr County. Others were reported across Travis, Williamson, Burnet, Tom Green, and Kendall counties. Victims include campers, families in homes, and drivers caught in vehicles by the rapid waters.

Despite the devastation, heroism emerged. U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Scott Ruskin on his first-ever mission saved 165 people from the deadly flood. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem called him an “American hero” for coordinating triage and risking everything to save others.

This wasn’t just a storm it was a sudden, overwhelming catastrophe. Officials say the Guadalupe River surged over 30 feet in less than an hour, giving families little to no time to escape. What was supposed to be a peaceful holiday weekend turned into a desperate fight for survival.

As Texas grieves, the state and nation must come together in prayer, remembrance, and action to honor the innocent lives lost and support the families left behind.

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