Flood in Texas: Three students, a grandmother and a camp director are among the victims

Flooding reached central US state after heavy rains and overflow of the Guadalupe River, on Friday (4). At least 70 people died, including 21 children. Searches for 11 girls continue. Floods leave dozens of dead and missing in Texas among the flood victims that hit the central region of Texas in the US, there are three elementary school students, a grandmother from a small town and a director of a summer camp for girls. The tragedy occurred between Thursday night (4) and the dawn on Friday (5), during the US Independence holiday, and killed at least 70 people, including 21 children. Torrential rainfall caused the Guadalupe River overflow, one of the main watercourses in the state. Authorities claim that search and rescue efforts are still underway, including that of 11 missing camper from a summer camp for girls. Tanya Burwick Photo released by Rhea Burwick shows her mother, Tanya Burwick, in April 2025 in San Angelo, Texas. Rhae Brunswick/AP The last time Tanya Burwick’s family had news of her was through a desperate call over the flood, while she was heading for work on a Walmart on Friday morning in the city of San Angelo. When Burwick did not appear to work, his employer filed a police report and sent a colleague to look for her. Police investigating the disappearance of the 62 -year -old woman found her unoccupied and completely submerged SUV later that day. His body was found the next morning, the vehicle blocks. “She illuminated the atmosphere and had a laugh that made other people laugh,” said Lindsey Burwick, Tanya’s daughter. She and her brother Zac said the day was especially difficult because it happened on July 4, while working in a fireworks tent that belongs to the family for generations. As the news of Tanya Burwick’s disappearance spread, people from Blackwell, a small community of about 250 people, appeared in the tent, which worked in a painted orange trailer. “People came to help us,” said Lindsey Burwick. San Angelo police said more than 12,000 homes, barns and other buildings were affected by floods in the community of about 100,000 people. “We ask the public to continue to keep the Burwick family in their thoughts and prayers as they face this devastating tragedy,” San Angelo Police Department said in a Facebook post. Jane Ragsdale Jane Ragsdale was a coordinator of a Girls Camp Reproduction/𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗠𝗣 𝗖𝗔𝗠𝗣 Jane Ragsdale, 68, dedicated her life to Heart O’The Hills Camp, a summer camp for girls in the Texas Hill Country region. She herself was a camper and counselor in the 1970s, before becoming a co -owner. In the 1980s, she was director of Camp in Hunt. “It was our guide light, our example and our safe haven. She had the rare gift of making each person feel, beloved and important,” the camp said in a statement. As the camp was not open in the period, no child was staying there when the flood waters rose. The camp facilities, located directly on the flood path, have been widely damaged and access to the site remains difficult, according to camp authorities. The camp has existed since the 1950s. Camp authorities said Ragsdale would be remembered for their strength and wisdom. “We are heartbroken. But above all we are grateful,” said the camp. “Grateful for having known her, having learned from her, and taking her light on.” In 2015, at an event for Kerr County Historical Commission, Ragsdale, whose first name was Cynthie, but the middle name was Jane, talked about how her father was also a camp director and how much she liked her experiences. “I loved every minute of the camp since the first time I stepped on one,” he recalled. Ragsdale videos tearing down a guitar and singing to campers during a recent session were posted on a memorial on the Facebook camp page: “Life is good today. So keep singing until we meet again.” Sarah Marsh Sarah Marsh, eight, from the state of Alabama, attended Camp Mystic, Texas, an old Christian camp for girls in Hunt, where several others died on floods. Marsh was studying at Cherokee Bend primary school in Birmingham’s suburb. “This is an unimaginable loss for your family, your school and our entire community,” Mountain Brook mayor Stewart Welch said in a Facebook post. “Sarah’s death is a sadness shared by all of us, and our hearts are with those who have known and loved it.” He said the community – where about 20,000 people reside – would support the Marsh family during mourning. Her parents refused an interview request on Sunday “while regretting this unbearable loss,” the girl’s grandmother Debbie Ford Marsh told Associated Press in an email. “We will always feel blessed because we had this beautiful and courageous ray of light in our lives. She will live forever in our hearts!” Wrote Marsh on Facebook. “We love you so much, sweet Sarah!” Senator Katie Britt of Alabama also highlighted the girl’s tragic death. “We continue to pray for the loved ones of the victims, the survivors, those who are still missing and our brave rescuer while search and rescue efforts continue in Texas,” she said in a publication on the X Blair and Brooke Harber platform Blair and Brooke Harber, both students of the St. Rita Catholic school, were camping on the banks of Rio. Guadalupe when her cabin was taken by the water, according to the school. Pastor Joshua J. Whitfield of the Catholic community of Santa Rita, who shares the campus with school, said the girls’ parents, Annie and RJ Harber, were in a different cabin and were safe. However, your grandparents were not found. Annie Harber is a longtime teacher at school. Blair was going to the eighth grade while Brooke was in the sixth year. “We will honor the life of Blair and Brooke, the light they shared and the joy they brought to everyone who knew them,” Whitfield wrote in a letter to the parishioners on Saturday. “And we will surround Annie, RJ, and his family with the strength and support of our Santa Rita community.” The Church held a special prayer service on Saturday afternoon and offered counseling. “Please keep the Harber family in their prayers at this time of deep mourning,” wrote the pastor. “May our faith, our love and our community of Santa Rita be a source of strength and comfort in the coming days.” See more: Governor of Texas reports visit to the flood hit and promises to follow with search until each girl is found coastal guard from the US uses helicopter to rescue people on floods in Texas

Source link