BREAKING NEWS: More than 119 people were killed in the Texas Hill Country after a killer wave swept over the region. Authorities say 27 young girls and counselors from Camp Mystic are among the dead. At least 170 people are still missing. This page will be continuously updated and click here to get our breaking news alerts delivered directly to your inbox.
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Editor’s Note: We have a policy about not reaching out to the families of those who lost loved ones. If they reach out to us, we are honored to share that information. We want to deeply respect the families and give them time to grieve. The following statement and photo was sent to us by the family of Mary Kate Jacobe, 8, of Houston.
Family Announces Loss of 8-Year-Old Daughter
“Our precious angel baby has entered the gates of Heaven. Mary Kate Jacobe was the light of our lives. She was tiny but mighty, full of love and joy with a smile that melted your heart. Mary Kate, our Sissy, was the baby of our large family and was most certainly our angel on earth. We are utterly shattered and forever changed by the loss of our girl.
Please know we truly appreciate the prayers and support so lovingly expressed by so many. We sincerely thank you for respecting our family’s privacy as we process the unthinkable.
Our family extends our deepest sympathy to all those affected by the tragic flooding. We stand united by loss but rooted in love. May God be with you now and always.”
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Camp Mystic Confirms 27 Deaths
Camp Mystic has confirmed that at least 27 campers and counselors died in the weekend floods. The prestigious all-girls summer camp was devastated by the floodwaters.
“Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly,” the camp wrote in a statement on their website.
The camp’s longtime owner, Dick Eastland, also died while trying to rescue campers during the catastrophic flooding.
“It doesn’t surprise me at all that his last act of kindness and sacrifice was working to save the lives of campers,” guest columnist Paige Sumner said in the Daily Times’ tribute to Eastland.
The camp said they are in communication with local authorities who are continuing to search for “missing girls.”
Camp Mystic is grieving the loss of 27 campers and counselors following the catastrophic flooding on the Guadalupe river.
Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly.
We have been in communication with local and state authorities who are tirelessly deploying extensive resources to search for our missing girls.
We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from community, first responders, and officials at every level.
We ask for your continued prayers, respect and privacy for each of our families affected. May the Lord continue to wrap His presence around all of us.
Overnight, officials in Kerr County said crews were continuing to search for 10 campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic. We’re expecting further details on the situation later this morning.
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CORRECTION: On Friday a report about Camp La Junta mentioned that boys had been rescued by Eagle Scouts. That reporting was based on local news reports. Those reports were incorrect. Camp La Junta refers to its young leaders as “Black Eagles.” We regret the error.
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Bodies of 2 Sisters Found with Rosaries, Hands Locked Together
From the pages of the Houston Chronicle and the New York Post comes a heart-wrenching story of two sisters whose bodies were washed away by the Texas floodwaters. Blair and Brooke Harber were discovered with rosaries, their hands locked together.
The Chronicle reports their bodies were found 15 miles from their grandparent’s house in Hunt, Texas. Their grandparents have yet to be located.
“My parents, Mike and Charlene Harber, have not been found as of now,” Jennifer Harber told the Chronicle. “Prayers are needed so we can bring them home.” Read more of the Chronicle’s coverage here.
Sunday’s New York Post Cover Story
MIRACLE! Girl Clung To Mattress For 3 Hours in Floodwaters
Governor Declares Day of Prayer in Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott has declared Sunday a “Day of Prayer in Texas” in response to the flooding.
“Texans are known for their faith, strength and resilience,” Abbott said. “Even as floodwaters raged, neighbors rushed in to rescue, comfort and bring hope. In times of loss, we turn to God for comfort, healing and strength. I urge every Texan to join me in prayer this Sunday — for the lives lost, for those still missing, for the recovery of our communities and for the safety of those on the front lines.”
Congressman Confirms Daughters Were at Camp Mystic
Republican Congressman August Pfluger (R-TX) says his two daughters were safely evacuated from Camp Mystic. He posted the following message:
“Camille, Vivian and I are now reunited with Caroline and Juliana who were evacuated from Camp Mystic. The last day has brought unimaginable grief to many families and we mourn with them as well as holding out hope for survivors.
“We want to thank the first responders who have come from far and wide to save lives. The TX Division of Emergency Management has been incredible and the White House, DHS, FEMA, DPS and local officials have all been responsive and helpful.
Please join us today as we pray for miracles.”
RV Park Destroyed by Flood Waters in Georgetown, Texas
Vice President Vance Address “Incomprehensible Tragedy”
Vice President J.D. Vance addressed the Texas tragedy on his X account today:
“Our nation’s heart breaks for the victims in Texas and their families. Just an incomprehensible tragedy. I hope everyone affected knows they’re in the prayers of my family, and of millions of Americans.
***Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.***
“Today Will Be A Hard Day — A Hard Day”
Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring delivered a sobering and emotional message to the citizens of his community who have been devastated by the monster wall of water.
“Today will be a hard day…a hard day,” the mayor said Saturday morning during a press conference. “Today will be a hard day. Please pray for our community.”
Trump: “Some Young People Have Died”
Two Young Brothers Describe How They Escaped Floodwaters
LIVE: Watch Gov. Greg Abbott’s Press Conference
“This is a hard day, and there will be hard days to come,” said Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr.
“I Just Want to Go Home”
Tearful reunions at Ingram Elementary School as campers from Camp Mystic were reunited with their parents. CNN reports one child was overheard telling her parent, “I just want to go home.”
Helicopters landed at the reunification center dropping off survivors while search efforts continue for more than 20 still unaccounted for from Camp Mystic.
As many as 23 young girls remain unaccounted for as the U.S. Coast Guard joins the search for campers and others swept away by the floods.
Waters Swept Girl 12 Miles Downstream, Found in Tree
Judge Rob Kelly, the chief elected official in the county, confirmed fatalities from the flooding and dozens of water rescues so far. He told NBC News San Antonio that he was advised not to cite specific numbers and said authorities are still working to identify those whose lives were lost.
“Most of them, we don’t know who they are,” Kelly said. “One of them was completely naked, he didn’t have any ID on him at all. We’re trying to get the identity of these folks, but we don’t have it yet.”
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick: “Do Some Praying”
“We will do everything humanly possible to find your daughter”
More than 20 girls are unaccounted for at Camp Mystic, a summer camp for girls in the Texas Hill Country. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says some 500 search and rescue personnel are in the field at this hour.
“We will do everything humanly possible to find your daughter,” the lieutenant governor told anxious parents.
Counselors Saved Boys as Cabins Floated Down River
Teenage counselors are being called heroes after they sprang into action and helped rescue boys at Camp La Junta. CBS News in Austin reports the camp was hit especially hard by the flood wave. Video, which you can see below, shows cabins floating down the Guadalupe River filled with boys. The young men lifted the boys into the rafters. At least one of the cabins was stopped by a tree. Camp La Junta reports that all campers and staff are now safe and have been accounted for. God bless these brave young men! Click here to follow my YouTube Channel.
NBC News: Young Children Among Those Missing in Floods
Authorities confirmed that children are among those missing in the catastrophic flood wave that hit the Texas Hill Country. NBC News in Dallas reports that many of the camps are inaccessible. Camp Mystic has reportedly notified parents if their children are missing.
“We can’t say for sure that they’re all accounted for. We know that there are some missing. We know where some of them are; they’re stranded, and we’re working to confirm that with people out at Camp Mystic. But in terms of how many, exactly how many are missing and unaccounted for, we’re not sure about that number, but we have a bunch of them we’re trying to get back,” said Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly during a briefing Friday morning.
Texas National Guard Assisting With Rescues
The Texas National Guard was called up to offer assistance with rescuing survivors trapped in the Hill Country floodwaters.
“The people you hear screaming are in the river right now”
Kerrville resident Rita Olsen told CNN that a law enforcement official knocked on her door around 6 a.m. Friday morning to let her know she must evacuate the area.
Surveillance video Olsen shared with CNN shows an officer telling Olsen that “we’re evacuating everybody.”
“The people you hear screaming are in the river right now. Let’s get everybody out,” the officer said. “There are people screaming in the river. We’re evacuating everybody.”
Brian Eads, 52, was hoping for information about his wife, Katherine, after aggressive floodwaters ravaged their trailer at around 3:30 a.m.
“I have no idea if she’s made it,” Eads told The New York Times. “We both got swept away, and then I lost her.”
Acting Gov. Dan Patrick Issues Statement
Entire Families Swept Away at RV Park
ORIGINAL REPORT: Multiple people were believed to have been swept away overnight in Texas after the Guadalupe River rose more than 22 feet in less than three hours. Many homes, cars and recreational vehicles were caught up in the raging flood waters.
Our team has posted numerous videos below and click here to get our breaking news alerts delivered directly to your inbox.
The National Weather Service reported that the flood caused a giant wave that swept through the towns of Kerrville and Comfort. Videos shared online showed cars being swept away and swollen rivers raging.
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly confirmed to NBC News in Dallas that at least six people had died in the flooding. And authorities expect that number to increase dramatically.
“This is a catastrophic flooding event in Kerr County. We can confirm fatalities but will not release further information until next of kin are notified. Our Office is working with a wide variety of local and state agencies to respond to calls and rescues,” the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office wrote on Facebook. “The entire county is an extremely active scene. Residents are encouraged to shelter in place and not attempt travel. Those near creeks, streams, and the Guadalupe River should immediately move to higher ground.”
An RV park in Ingram was inundated with flood waters, according to CBS News in Austin.
“Everyone in that RV Park had to be rescued and lost their RV’S as well. My mother attempted to help a young family who were trapped in the flood waters,” an eyewitness told reporters. “There was a young man, a young woman, and their small child(maybe 3-4 years old). They were swept away as with many others.”
“This may be a once-in-a-lifetime flood” for the county, spokesman Clint Morris told television station KSAT, adding that they’ve responded to multiple calls for high-water rescues. People should avoid traveling west of Ingram near the Guadalupe River.
First responders are conducting water rescues and evacuations along the river.
“KPD officers and Kerrville Fire Department are evacuating residents. Walmart is being used as a temporary reunification center. Many roads and streets are flooding in town,” the Kerrville Police Department wrote in a statement.
A number of children attending a camp were safely evacuated. Photos show the children have to wade through rising floodwaters to get to higher ground.