Tragedy Strikes as Two Camp Mystic Girls Found Dead Amid Texas Floods
At least two girls from Camp Mystic have been confirmed deceased following an overnight search and rescue operation in Texas on Friday, as per accounts from family members and local sources.
Eight-year-old Renee Smajstrla and nine-year-old Janie Hunt were among approximately 25 campers swept away by intense flash floods in the Guadalupe River.
“Thank you to everyone for your prayers and support. Renee has been located, and while this is not the outcome we hoped for, the social media outreach likely helped first responders identify her quickly,” her uncle shared on Facebook, posting a photo of the smiling girl.
“We are grateful she enjoyed her time with friends, as shown in a picture from yesterday. She will always be remembered for living her best life at Camp Mystic. Please keep the other families in Kerrville in your thoughts.”
Reports indicate Janie was also found deceased, according to the Corpus Christi Crónica.
Janie’s mother expressed concern earlier to CNN, stating she had yet to learn of her daughter’s situation following the deluge that struck the camp.
“We are just praying,” she shared.
The status of other campers remains uncertain, though local reports suggest that several girls were rescued and transferred to reunification centers with their families.
Between 23 and 25 girls at the Christian summer camp, which accommodates ages 7 to 17, were caught in the floods early Friday, with some located in cabins that were destroyed.
The Guadalupe River, situated near Camp Mystic in the San Antonio suburb of Hunt, surged over 20 feet within just 90 minutes, marking flooding levels not witnessed since 1987, according to the National Weather Service.
A flood warning was issued at 4 a.m., catching many residents off guard.
Though evacuation procedures were initiated early Thursday, some campers were still impacted by the floodwaters.
Governor Greg Abbott disclosed on Friday evening that the total number of fatalities had risen to 24, including children; however, he did not specify if any of the missing campers were among the deceased.
Rescue operations continued Saturday morning as rainfall persisted throughout Hill County, with officials indicating the risk of further flash flooding across the region from San Antonio to Waco for the next 24 to 48 hours.
Kerr County has previously experienced significant flooding in 1987, resulting in the tragic loss of 10 teenagers. Local authorities have confirmed that the campgrounds lack an established warning system.
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