A peaceful summer along Texas’ Guadalupe River turned tragic as flash floods swept through the region, killing at least 51 people. Rescue teams continue searching for dozens still missing, with hopes dwindling as debris piles grow.
**Kerr County Hit Hardest**
The worst devastation occurred in Kerr County, where 43 deaths were confirmed—15 of them children. Many victims were at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp, when floodwaters tore through the site. Twenty-seven children remain unaccounted for.
**Statewide Impact**
Other counties reported casualties, including four in Travis County and one each in Kendall and Tom Green counties. Burnet County added two more fatalities late Saturday, raising the statewide death toll. Officials warn numbers may rise as recovery efforts continue.
**Camp Mystic Devastation**
The historic Camp Mystic, established in 1926, became a focal point of the disaster. Nestled along the Guadalupe River, it was overwhelmed by a sudden “flood wave”—a surge of water moving at 25-40 mph—triggered by heavy rains.
**Heartbreaking Losses**
Families began sharing tributes to lost loved ones, including Renee Smajstrla, Sarah Marsh, and Lila Bonner. Some survivors, like two girls airlifted to safety, offer glimmers of hope amid the tragedy.
**Missing Families**
Among those still missing are the Zunker family—a high school soccer coach, his wife, and two children—who vanished while vacationing near the camp. Another family lost two members when their riverside cabin was swept away in minutes.
**Ongoing Rescue Efforts**
Authorities urge caution as unstable terrain and floodwaters hinder search operations. With the death toll expected to climb, communities brace for more heartbreaking news while clinging to hope for miracles