Everything we learn about Texas flooding victims: Girl ‘living her best life’ at camp and man who saved his household | EUROtoday

Devastating floods that swept Central Texas over the weekend have killed at the very least 51 folks, together with 15 youngsters.

Unexpected torrential downpours struck the area on Friday night, inflicting the Guadalupe River to quickly rise and flood the encompassing space. The flooding destroyed properties, swept away automobiles and devastated Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer season camp located on the banks of the river.

There are nonetheless 27 youngsters lacking from the camp as of Saturday afternoon.

The identities of the victims are nonetheless being decided and launched to the general public. Here’s what we all know in regards to the victims thus far.

Renee smilestro

Eight-year-old Renee Smajstrla was at Camp Mystic, the all-girls summer season camp close to the Guadalupe River, her uncle confirmed in a Facebook put up.

Smajstrla was one of many 27 campers unaccounted for after the devastating floods, Shawn Salta mentioned within the put up.

“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,” Salta wrote. “We are thankful she was with her friends and having the time of her life, as evidenced by this picture from yesterday. She will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic.”

Sarah Marsh

Sarah Marsh, an eight-year-old woman from Mountain Brook, Alabama, was killed within the devastating floods whereas at Camp Mystic.

Debbie Ford Marsh, the grandmother of Sarah, confirmed the younger woman’s dying in a now-private Facebook put up.

“We will always feel blessed to have had this beautiful spunky ray of light in our lives,” Marsh wrote. “She will live on in our hearts forever!”

Janie Hunt

Janie Hunt, a nine-year-old Camp Mystic camper, died within the catastrophic flooding, her mom instructed CNN.

Lila Bonner

Nine-year-old Lila Bonner of Dallas died within the floods whereas attending Camp Mystic.

“In the midst of our unimaginable grief, we ask for privacy and are unable to confirm any details at this time. We ache with all who loved her,” the Bonner household mentioned in a press release to NBC5.

Jane Ragsdale

Jane Ragsdale, the director of Heart O’ the Hills camp in Kerr County, is among the many victims killed within the floods, a detailed pal confirmed on Facebook.

“Jane was more than the beloved Director of Heart O’ the Hills. She was a legend in the camp community shaping generations of campers, staff, and leaders through her unwavering belief in the power of camp to change lives,” Dani Shaw wrote on Facebook.

“She modeled the highest standards of care, character, and connection.”

Julian Ryan

Julian Ryan, 27, died within the floods whereas saving his household from the speeding water, in keeping with a GoFundMe launched to help his household.

“Julian, his fiancé, kids, and mother were awakened when water came rushing into their home,” the GoFundMe reads. “Julian jumped into action to protect and save his family and get them to safety.”

“Julian gave his life for his family, passing as a true hero,” the GoFundMe continues. “While his family is eternally grateful for his sacrifice, they are shattered by their loss.”

Katheryn Eads

Katheryn Eads died within the floods, whereas her husband Brian survived, her household instructed The Washington Post.

She beforehand labored at Olive Branch Counseling and Training.

“Katheryn was a hope and a light to all who knew her,” the corporate’s proprietor instructed the Post. “A daughter, a wife, a mother, grandmother, friend and colleague. She was a stellar counselor and professor and she simply just made everything better. Katheryn was changing lives.”

Blair and Brooke Harber

Two sisters — 13-year-old Blair and 11-year-old Brooke — had been killed by the floods in Kerr County, their father instructed CNN on Saturday night time.

Harber described Blair as “a gifted student” who had “a generous, kind heart.” Harber mentioned that Brooke was “like a light in any room, people gravitated to her and she made them laugh and enjoy the moment.”

The sisters weren’t attending Camp Mystic, their father added.