More than 100 people have been confirmed dead in the floods. Here’s what we know about some of the victims.
The death toll from a series of devastating Texas floods over the July 4 weekend has risen to more than 100 people, many of whom are children.
“Everyone here at the White House, including the President of the United States, is praying for the victims’ families and friends during this unimaginable time,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday, adding that President Donald Trump had signed a disaster declaration for the area.
Many of these deaths—caused by the overflow of the Guadalupe and Llano Rivers after 12 inches of rainfall doused the dry, flooding-prone region—came from Camp Mystic, a summer camp for girls, and the area of Kerrville, Texas.
However, many others also perished in the flooding. More casualties are expected as search and rescue efforts continue across central Texas.
Here’s what we know so far about the victims.
Camp Mystic
Of the currently known deaths, nearly one in four have come from Camp Mystic, which had many cabins sitting close to the Guadalupe River.
On Monday, the Christian girls’ camp announced that 27 of its campers and counselors had died in the flood.
“Camp Mystic is grieving the loss of 27 campers and counselors following the catastrophic flooding on the Guadalupe River,” Camp Mystic in Kerr County, Texas, said in a statement posted on its website. “Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly.”
Others remain unaccounted for. On Sunday, officials reported there were 10 people missing who had been at the camp.
In the statement, Camp Mystic said they had been in communication with local and state authorities “who are tirelessly deploying extensive resources to search for our missing girls.”
Richard ‘Dick’ Eastland
One of the casualties at Camp Mystic was Dick Eastland, the camp’s director.
Paige Sumner, a former camper, wrote in a local newspaper column that Eastland was “the father figure to all of us while we were away from home.”
Her attitude was common among other campers, Sumner wrote, saying that Eastland “put campers first.”
Eastland and his wife had owned the camp since 1974, Texas Public Radio reported.
His wife, Tweety, who was away from the camp at the time, was found safe in their home afterward.
By Joseph Lord
