The identities of those who died and remain missing as a result of this week’s tragic flooding in Texas are still being revealed.
According to CNN, at least 24 people died in Kerr County and one in Kendall County as a result of the catastrophic floods that hit central Texas on Friday, July 4. Texas officials reported that 237 people were rescued on the same day, the majority of whom were transported by helicopter.
During a press conference on July 4, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick discussed how the flood affected Camp Mystic, a Christian girls-only summer camp on the banks of the Guadalupe River, where over a dozen campers remained unaccounted for.
Renee Smajstrla, an 8-year-old missing girl, was found dead on Saturday, July 5, according to her uncle. Renee’s uncle, Shawn Salta, announced the camper’s death in an emotional Facebook post before confirming it with the outlet.
“Thank you to all of our friends and family for their prayers and outreach,” Salta wrote alongside a photo of his late niece. “Renee has been found and while not the outcome we prayed for, the social media outreach likely assisted the first responders in helping to identify her so quickly.”
“We are thankful she was with her friends and having the time of her life, as evidenced by this picture from yesterday,” she said. “She will always be living her best life at Camp Mystic. Please continue to pray for the other families in Kerrville.”
PEOPLE have contacted the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) for an update on the remaining missing campers.
The family of Joni Kay Brake and Robert Leroy Brake Sr. told NBC DFW that their loved ones were still missing after visiting their son at an RV park along the Guadalupe River in Kerrville.
“They were just down there yesterday fishing and enjoying the night,” grandson Ryan Brake told the outlet.
“We are all hoping for the best and praying big right now; we are putting it in God’s hands.
Brianna Newton, the couple’s granddaughter, also joined in.
The Kerrville Daily Times reported that Reece Zunker, his wife Paula, and their two children are still missing following the July 4 floods.
According to the outlet, the family of four was vacationing at a river house near Hunt.
Flooding caused the Guadalupe River, which runs through Camp Mystic, to reach its second-highest point ever, according to ABC affiliate Eyewitness News. According to KSAT in San Antonio, the area received at least 10 inches of rain.
“This may be a once-in-a-lifetime flood,” Clint Morris, a Kerr County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, told KSAT. He also stated that it was “an extremely active scene, countywide.”
Following the flooding, Camp Mystic was evacuated overnight, as previously reported by KSAT.
The San Antonio Express-News reports that directors at the Kerr County camp have requested assistance. The directors also stated that the camp cabins were flooded and could have been washed away.
According to Forbes, W. Nim Kidd, Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, told reporters on July 4 that the National Weather Service (NWS) significantly underestimated the precipitation expected in the affected areas prior to the fatal floods.
Kidd stated that “the amount of rain that fell in this specific location was never in any” of the agency’s forecasts. “Despite this, we have resources in the area since yesterday. When the rain fell and the calls came in, we acted quickly.”
In an official statement, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott stated that the state “is providing all necessary resources to Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt, and the entire Texas Hill Country dealing with these devastating floods.”
“The State of Texas today has mobilised additional resources in addition to the resources sent in preparation for the storms,” he talked about. “I urge Texans to heed guidance from state and local officials and monitor local forecasts to avoid driving into flooded areas.”
