At least 82 people, including 28 children, have died after devastating flash floods swept through central Texas, with the full scale of the tragedy still emerging. The torrents struck communities along the Guadalupe River early on Friday, destroying homes, sweeping away vehicles and devastating Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp on the river's banks.
Camp officials confirmed on Monday that 27 girls and staff members were killed. Among the victims were eight-year-old Sarah Marsh from Alabama, twin sisters Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence from Dallas, nine-year-old Janie Hunt, and eight-year-old Renee Smajstrla. Nine-year-old Lila Bonner and her best friend Eloise Peck also died together at the camp.
The camp's owner, Richard "Dick" Eastland, perished during an attempt to rescue campers, according to a tribute published in the Kerrville Daily Times. His wife, Tweety, is believed to have survived. The couple had directed the Christian camp since 1974.
Elsewhere in Kerr County, two sisters, 13-year-old Blair and 11-year-old Brooke, were killed, their father told CNN. They were not attending Camp Mystic. Search efforts continue, with the National Weather Service warning that "hardest hit areas" could see further flash flooding as more heavy downpours are expected on Monday.
