HUNT, TEXAS — July 5, 2025 — The tight-knit community of Hunt, Texas, and families across the state are reeling from one of the most devastating natural disasters to strike the Texas Hill Country in decades. Catastrophic flash flooding along the Guadalupe River swept through Camp Mystic, a cherished all-girls Christian summer camp in Kerr County, in the early morning hours of Friday, July 4. The deluge caught campers and staff in their cabins as they slept, and as of Saturday morning, multiple individuals—including many children—are still unaccounted for.
A Rapid and Ruthless Rise in Water Levels
According to meteorological reports and emergency responders, the Guadalupe River rose more than 22 feet in just 30 minutes after a powerful storm system stalled over the region. The sudden surge left camp officials with little to no time to fully evacuate the sprawling campgrounds situated directly along the riverbanks. The camp, a historic and beloved part of generations of Texas families, was in the middle of its busy summer session, with hundreds of campers in attendance.
The floodwaters ripped through cabins, lodges, and open activity spaces, sweeping vehicles off roads and sending terrified children and counselors scrambling for safety. Tragically, not all were able to escape.
A Growing List of the Missing
As of this writing, families have confirmed that the following individuals remain missing after the flood swept them away from Camp Mystic:
•Lila Bonner
•Eloise Peck
•Hadley Hanna
•Kellyanne Lytal
•Lainey Landry
•Janie Hunt
•Renee Smajstrla
•Cile Steward
•Virginia Hollis
•Margaret Sheedy
•Molly DeWitt
•Anna Margaret Bellows
•Blakely McCrory
•Mary Grace Baker
•Linnie McCown
•Greta Toranzo
•Sarah Marsh
•Wynne Naylor
•Katherine Ferruzzo (Camp Counselor)
•Bella Kate (Camp Counselor)
Several of these young girls are under the age of 12. One name among them, Sarah Marsh, has already drawn national attention after family members confirmed her tragic passing. Sarah was just 8 years old, a student at Cherokee Bend Elementary, and her loss has become symbolic of the heartbreak felt across Texas and beyond.
Dramatic Rescue in the Midst of Disaster
While the scale of the tragedy is immense, there have been miraculous moments of survival. Camp Mystic Director Dick Eastland, affectionately known to many as Tweety’s husband, made the brave decision to drive toward the river to help evacuate campers when he feared that the “Bubble Inn” cabin would flood.
Eastland and five girls were reportedly swept away by the floodwaters but were later found alive, approximately five miles downstream, in Hunt, Texas. Their rescue is being hailed as a miracle, and they are currently being treated for exhaustion and minor injuries.
A Devastating Toll and Ongoing Search
Officials have confirmed at least 13 deaths from the flooding across Central Texas, and with over 20 girls still reported missing, search and rescue teams are working around the clock. Boats, helicopters, drones, and K-9 units have been deployed along the Guadalupe River and its banks. First responders are navigating treacherous debris-filled waters in an effort to locate survivors or recover those lost.
The Texas Department of Emergency Management, Kerr County Sheriff’s Office, and local volunteers are all contributing to the large-scale effort, but rising heat, fast currents, and muddy terrain continue to hinder operations.
A Community in Mourning, United in Prayer
As news of the tragedy spreads, communities across Texas and the South are rallying to support the families of the missing. Churches, schools, and civic organizations are holding prayer vigils, sharing GoFundMe links, and sending volunteers and supplies to assist those displaced or grieving.
Camp Mystic, known for its traditions, spiritual focus, and sisterhood, is now the epicenter of a heartbreak that few can comprehend. Messages of solidarity are pouring in from alumni, former counselors, and parents who once sent their daughters to the very same cabins now torn apart by the river’s force.
What Happens Next
Officials have not yet released the names of those confirmed deceased, pending notification of next of kin. Rescue efforts are expected to continue into the coming days, and weather forecasts are being closely monitored for additional storms that could complicate recovery efforts.
In the meantime, the names and faces of these missing girls are circulating across social media, in news reports, and on posters shared by loved ones praying for a miracle. Communities are urged to stay away from flooded areas, avoid speculation, and support rescue efforts however possible.
Final Thoughts
The tragedy at Camp Mystic is not just a local story—it is a deeply human one. It is about young lives full of promise, a summer of friendships interrupted by catastrophe, and the pain of not knowing whether a child will ever come home.
To the families enduring the unthinkable: you are not alone. The entire state is grieving with you, and the nation is watching with hope, heartbreak, and reverence.
We will remember the missing. We will honor the lost. And we will support the survivors as they begin to heal from what no child or parent should ever have to endure.
If you have any information, photos, or video that could assist in rescue efforts, or if you wish to contribute to ongoing support for the families, please reach out to local authorities or verified relief organizations assisting with Central Texas flood recovery.