Kerrville, TX — A catastrophic wall of water tore through Texas Hill Country this week, leaving a trail of heartbreak and devastation in its wake. The death toll from the Guadalupe River flash flooding has climbed to 27, including nine children—four of them young girls who had been attending the elite Christian sleep-away camp, Camp Mystic.
What began as a joyful week under the Texas sun turned into a nightmare for dozens of families. By Saturday morning, authorities confirmed the deaths of Renee Smajstrla, 8; Sarah Marsh, 8; Janie Hunt, 9; and Lila Bonner, all of whom were swept away when the river surged more than 26 feet in less than an hour.
A Storm with No Warning
The flash flood hit around 4 a.m. Friday, as campers slept inside their cabins. With no official warning system at Camp Mystic, most never saw the disaster coming.
“This was a freak event,” said Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly. “But it should never have happened without a warning system. These kids deserved better.”
Camp Mystic, which has operated for 99 years along the banks of the Guadalupe River in Hunt, TX, caters to more than 750 girls each summer. It’s long been a favorite among Texas’ political elite, with generations of influential families sending their daughters to the wooded grounds.
“Unimaginable Grief”: Families Speak Out
The heartbreak is reverberating far beyond the campgrounds.
“Our sweet Sarah is gone,” wrote Debbie Marsh, grandmother of 8-year-old Sarah Marsh from Mountain Brook, Alabama. “She was a spunky ray of light. She will live on in our hearts forever.”
Renee Smajstrla’s family posted a photo of the smiling girl just hours before the storm hit.
“She was living her best life with her friends,” her uncle wrote. “We are thankful she was found quickly, even if it wasn’t the outcome we prayed for.”
Lila Bonner’s family described “unimaginable grief” in a statement shared by NBC News. “We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly.”
Janie Hunt’s death was confirmed Saturday. Her mother had told CNN the family was clinging to hope until the very end. “We’re just praying,” she had said the day before her daughter was found.
Camp Director Killed Trying to Help Others
One of the most painful losses came from a neighboring camp. Jane Ragsdale, the long-serving director of Heart O’ the Hills Camp, was confirmed dead. She had been on the property when the floods hit, despite the camp being officially closed.
“She was a powerhouse,” camp officials wrote on Facebook. “A leader, a mentor, and a hero to thousands.”
Kerrville city manager Dalton Rice hinted at the tragic loss in a press conference, saying, “Lives were lost while saving others — like camp directors.”
Survivors Rescued, But the Search Continues
Rescue teams have pulled more than 850 people from the flood zones, including multiple children trapped in destroyed cabins and downed trees. The Texas Game Wardens and emergency crews used helicopters, boats, and even climbed through trees to reach stranded survivors.
Ashley Flack, a mother of two campers, told The Post that her daughter Annie made it home safely, but many of her friends are still missing.
“Our daughter is safe. But we’re praying for those families who are still waiting for word,” she said. “It was chaos, but the evacuation was handled as well as it could be.”
A Devastating Repeat of History
This isn’t the first time the Guadalupe River has turned deadly. In 1987, it surged during another flash flood, sweeping away a church bus and killing 10 teenagers.
“This river remembers,” said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. “And sadly, so will we.”
Patrick confirmed the river rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes, catching camps and homes completely off guard.
With roads wiped out and power still unstable, many camps in the region remain isolated. Rescue teams are ferrying in supplies until children and staff can be moved to shelters.
President Trump and First Responders React
President Donald Trump released a statement on Truth Social on Saturday, calling the disaster “heart-wrenching” and praising rescue workers.
“Melania and I are praying for all of the families impacted by this horrible tragedy. Our Brave First Responders are on site doing what they do best. GOD BLESS THE FAMILIES, AND GOD BLESS TEXAS!”
Trump also confirmed that Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem would join local officials on the ground to oversee federal support.
What Comes Next
With more rain forecasted, officials are bracing for further flooding across parts of Texas from San Antonio to Waco over the next 48 hours. Evacuations are ongoing, and temporary shelters have been activated in Kerr, Comal, and Hays counties.
“This is far from over,” said a Texas Emergency Management spokesperson. “We urge everyone in low-lying areas to stay alert and get to high ground.”
Back at Camp Mystic, muddy towels and waterlogged bunk beds lie scattered beneath shattered walls—a haunting reminder of a summer turned to sorrow.
For many, the question now isn’t just how this happened — but why it was allowed to. And whether it will happen again.
If you or someone you know is searching for a missing person from the flood, call the Kerr County Emergency Center at 1-800-335-5677.
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