Texas Flood Tragedy: Death Toll Rises to 80, Including 21 Children, as Community Mourns Heroes and Young Lives Lost
Texas Flood Tragedy: Death Toll Rises to 80, Including 21 Children, as Community Mourns Heroes and Young Lives Lost
Kerr County, Texas is reeling from a catastrophic flood that claimed at least 80 lives, including 21 children, over the recent holiday weekend. As the death toll continues to climb, the heartbroken community grapples with immense grief and searches for answers amidst the devastation.
Among the victims is Julian Ryan, a 27-year-old father who made the ultimate sacrifice to save his family. In a heroic act, Ryan shattered a window to help his fiancée, two young children, and mother escape their rapidly submerging trailer home. Critically injured by the glass, he bled out while holding his mother, his final words being, “I love you.” His sister, Connie Salas, confirmed his bravery, stating, “He went out a hero.”
The flash floods, which saw four months’ worth of rain fall in mere hours, caused the Guadalupe River to swell over 20 feet, sweeping away homes, cars, and cabins. The disaster horrifically impacted Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp, where several young campers were confirmed dead, and others remain missing. Eight-year-old Renee Smajstrla and nine-year-old Janie Hunt are among the young lives tragically lost from the camp.
The tragedy also claimed the lives of 13-year-old Blair and 11-year-old Brooke Harber, sisters who went missing with their grandparents. Other confirmed victims include Jane Ragsdale, the beloved director of Heart O’ the Hills camp, Tivy High School’s head soccer coach Reece Zunker and his wife Paula, and Dr. Katheryn Eads, a loving grandmother and psychologist dedicated to helping children. The community continues to come to terms with the widespread loss, remembering the personal stories behind the rising numbers.
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