Officials confirmed on Saturday that at least 50 people have died, and over 27 young girls are still missing after a devastating flood hit Kerr County, Texas.
Five young girls who were staying at Camp Mystic, a private Christian retreat for girls only in Hunt, Texas, have been confirmed deceased.
Ann Hunt confirmed to Fox News Digital that her daughter, Jaynie, was one of the campers who died in the flood. The organization “Voice for the Voiceless,” a non-profit advocating for “the missing, the voiceless, and victims of crime,” identified Renee Smistrla as another deceased camper. Family members identified best friends Laila Bonner and Eloise Peck as the latest cabin mates found dead, according to a FOX 4 Dallas report. Both had recently finished second grade at Bradfield Elementary School.
NO MORE HOPE FOR FAMILIES: Bodies of Laila Bonner and Eloise Peck Found
A fifth camper has been confirmed deceased. However, her family requested that her name not be released.
Of the 50 people killed in Kerr County, officials said at least 28 were adults and 15 were children.
Five adults and three children remain unidentified, authorities stated.
As of Saturday, Kerr County officials confirmed that 27 campers are still missing. The camp had 750 visitors when the flood hit. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said that “nobody saw it coming” and that he was heartbroken to see “many body bags” at local funeral homes.
SCENE OF TRAGEDY: Children’s Christian Camp “Mystic” in Kerr County, Texas
One of the victims confirmed was Jane Ragsdale, director and co-owner of Camp Hila. Representative Chip Roy, a Texas Republican, shared photos on Saturday of the damage to Camp Hila, taken during a helicopter tour after the flood.
Buildings and trees appeared either completely swept away or reduced to rubble. There were no children at the nearby camp during the flood, as it was between sessions, according to a statement posted on Camp Hila’s website.
“We at the camp are stunned and deeply saddened by Jane’s passing,” the camp wrote. “She embodied the spirit of Hila and was exactly the kind of strong, joyful woman the camp aimed to develop in the girls entrusted to us each summer.” President Donald Trump posted about the tragedy on Truth Social on Saturday, confirming that the administration is working with state and local officials to respond to the tragedy.
GRIEF: Children’s Toys Found Outside Camp Entrance
“Melania and I are praying for all the families affected by this terrible tragedy. Our brave first responders are on the ground doing what they do best. GOD BLESS THE FAMILIES, AND GOD BLESS TEXAS!” Families lined up at reunification centers, hoping to see their loved ones. According to the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office, Ingram Elementary School in Ingram, Texas, and the Arcadia Live Theatre in Kerrville, Texas, are being used as reunification centers. Camp Mystic reportedly told parents that if they had not been directly contacted, it meant their child had been found.
Ellen Toranzo told Fox News Digital that her daughter Greta Toranzo is one of the campers who went missing during the flood. Keri Hanna also confirmed to Fox News Digital that her daughter Hadley is listed as missing.
LISTED AS MISSING: Hadley Hanna and Greta Toranzo
Both girls are still listed as missing as of Saturday afternoon. Elinor Lester, 13, told the Associated Press that she was evacuated with her cabin mates by helicopter after navigating through floodwaters. Lester also said that “the camp is completely destroyed” in the catastrophic flood. The agency noted that Lester was staying at a higher elevation in the camp, known as Senior Hill. Younger campers, who can begin attending the camp at age 8, are housed along the riverbanks and were the first to be affected by the flood, according to the Associated Press.
THE FLOOD WAS MERCILESS: Camp Dormitory
The National Guard has been deployed to Texas to respond after heavy rain on Friday morning caused the Guadalupe River level to rise by almost 9 meters in 45 minutes. As of Saturday morning, more than 850 uninjured people and eight injured people have been evacuated, including 167 by helicopter, according to the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office.
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TEXAS ON EDGE: These are the Girls Missing from the Camp During Floods, Search Continues! (PHOTOS)
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