A third-generation Camp Mystic mom who spent 15 years of her summers at the Texas camp tells Fox News’ Mike Tobin the recent flooding responsible for the deaths of more than 100 people has really hit home.

“It hits home because that was home to me and so many others for 100 years,” says Kerrville resident Mary West. “The amount of devastation is just incredible. It’s just still so hard to wrap your head around when you think about it.”

West has a young daughter who was fortunately picked up before the flooding. She says it is “gut wrenching” to know that other little girls her daughter’s age remain missing.

West, who works night at a hospital, says she was unaware at first that the flooding was receiving national attention.

“It speaks to me. Texas – no matter where you’re at in Texas – is a family. It doesn’t matter. We come together through thick and thin, whatever needs to happen. We come. We are here,” West says.

West says the initial “shock and disbelief” has now filtered into a “hope” that is “just kind of processing grief, sadness and just loss.” 

A Kerrville, Texas man who was camping near the Guadalupe River when waters began to rise, though he was able to escape to safety before flood waters reached dangerous levels.

Dion McGee shared his story with Fox News, saying, “We’re powerless compared to Mother Nature.”

McGee described the night, saying weather systems were building over him that included thunder and “intense rain.”

 “I started getting the feeling that this river wasn’t gonna be able to take much more of it,” he said, sharing that he quickly left and went back up the hill.

TEXAS MOTHER PRAISES BRAVE CAMP COUNSELORS WHO SAVED HER SONS FROM ‘ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATING’ FLOODS

When he woke up in the morning, McGee went to the top of a parking garage.

McGee said it all came down to choices, and he explained that he could have made the wrong decision by trying to prove something to himself or by trying to have fun.

“If I were to decide to stay here and didn’t pay attention to my surroundings and just what was going on, then yes, I would’ve been a statistic,” he said. “The ‘what if’ is definitely there.”

Having survived the catastrophic flood, he called for better preparation ahead of storms and learning from mistakes that led to over 100 deaths.

“We’re at the mercy of this sky here and we’re powerless compared to Mother Nature,” McGee said. “So, yep, definitely keeping God in mind and the great power God has.”

Parts of New Mexico were placed under a Flash Flood Emergency on Tuesday night as the Texas Hill Country region continues to recover and search for over 160 people who went missing during catastrophic flooding over the Fourth of July weekend.

FOX Weather reported that heavy rains returned to Ruidoso, New Mexico, which is an area still recovering from the South Fork Fire.

Reports of damage indicate floodwaters reached homes, while several roads in Ruidoso were covered with water.

TEXAS RV PARK OWNER BANGED ON DOORS AS WATER ROSE, FAMILY WAS SWEPT AWAY

Emergency crews have responded to the scene and have been conducting water rescues across the city as the Rio Ruidoso reached over 20 feet. The major flood stage of the river begins at 15 feet, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), and if the levels have reached 20 feet, it would be a record crest.

NWS Albuquerque posted photos showing the Rio Ruidoso’s rapid rise in one of Ruidoso’s neighborhoods as a flood wave made its way through the river.

“A DANGEROUS situation is unfolding in RUIDOSO!” NWS Albuquerque posted on X. “A FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY remains in effect! Seek HIGHER GROUND NOW! Do NOT attempt to drive through the floodwaters. The current will carry away your vehicle!”

In another post, the NWS said, “Another 30 minutes later and it’s hard to tell where the riverbed is. The river is now in major flood stage at over 15 feet. Stay away from the river! Seek higher ground NOW!”

Inspectors with the Texas Departme
nt of State Health Services signed off on Camp Mystic’s emergency plan two days before flood waters ravaged the area and killed over two dozen people at the all-girls summer camp.

The Department of State Health Services released five years of records on Tuesday that showed how Camp Mystic complied with state regulations regarding “procedures to be implemented in case of disaster.”

Among the records are regulations that campers must be instructed on what to do if they need to evacuate the camp while also assigning staff members and counselors specific duties.

CAMP FLOODING PUTS PARENTS ON EDGE AS TRAGEDY SHOWS DANGER OF SENDING KIDS AWAY FOR SUMMER

However, the reports do not have details about the camp’s plans, which raises questions about whether the camp was prepared ahead of the Fourth of July weekend flood in the Texas Hill Country region.

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for the region just before 1:20 p.m. on July 3, prompting at least one of the nearly 20 camps along the Guadalupe River to relocate its campers to higher ground.

Camp Mistic was hit hard when the river rose from 14 feet to 29.5 feet within an hour during the early morning hours.

State inspectors conducted an inspection at the camp on July 2, which was the same day the Texas Division of Emergency Management activated emergency response resources to the region in anticipation of flooding.

Inspectors did not find any deficiencies or violations at the camp as it went through its list of health and safety criteria.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

On a pitch-black night, locals just five miles upriver from Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas watched the ominous approach of a deadly flood wall, illuminated only by flashes of lightning, as it surged toward the all-girls Christian camp.

More than 100 people lost their lives and nearly twice as many others went missing in the Hill Country surge that struck in the early hours of July Fourth. Camp Mystic confirmed 27 fatalities among its campers and counselors, as of Tuesday.

TEXAS FLOOD SURVIVORS SHARE HARROWING STORIES, SEARCH CONTINUES FOR THOSE STILL MISSING

33-year-old Shelby Willis told Fox News Digital she was visiting her in-laws’ home on the Guadalupe River in Hunt, situated on one of the higher points on the South Fork.

Read more about what Willis encountered.

This is an excerpt from a story by Fox News Digital’s Alexandra Koch.

Joyce Catherine Badon, a 21-year-old senior at the Savannah College of Art and Design, died in the catastrophic floods that struck the Hill Country region of Texas over the weekend.

The Associated Press reported that the school sent an email to the college community about the Beaumont, Texas resident’s death.

“A beloved daughter, friend, and classmate, Joyce was passionate about using her artistry and talent to impact the world, and had recently helped redesign donation centers for Goodwill,” the school said.

TEXAS FLOODING VICTIMS INCLUDE DALLAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL SISTERS, CAMP COUNSELOR, WALMART EMPLOYEE

Kellye Badon posted on Facebook on July 4 that her daughter was staying in a home on a hill along the river in Hunt, Texas with three friends.

“At 4am this morning, a flash flood came through and washed their cars away. It happened so quickly with so much water, they could not get in the attic,” Kellye Badon posted.

She said one of her daughter’s friends called his parents as it happened when the friend and two others were washed away.

Kelly Badon also said her daughter was the last person heard from on the call before the phone went dead.

On Monday, Kellye Badon provided an update on Facebook.

“We found our lovely daughter who blessed us for 21 years,” she wrote. “We pray to be able to find her three friends soon. Thanks to EVERYONE for the prayers and support. God is good!”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

State Rep. Wesley Virdell, R-Texas, said additional technology needs to be incorporated in the Texas Hill Country Region to provide alerts to people about rising waters like those that devastated the area over the weekend.

John Roberts, the co-host of Fox News’ “America Reports” spoke with Virdell about rescue and recovery operations in the region on Tuesday.

Virdell, who was in Kerrville, said he drove about a hundred miles to get to that part of his district to help first responders.

He said crews are going through debris with the help of cadaver dogs to help find bodies of missing people. According to Gov. Greg Abbott, there are 161 people missing in the area.

TEXAS RV PARK OWNER BANGED ON DOORS AS WATER ROSE, FAMILY WAS SWEPT AWAY

When asked if he had ever seen anything like the flooding that happened over the Fourth of July weekend, Virdell said there was another big flash flood in 2018 in Junction that swept away a lot of RVs, which resulted in the loss of life.

“This one is the biggest ones I’ve ever seen,” he said. “If you’re on the ground, it’s unreal to see how much damage is there.”

Roberts told Virdell that Texas Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick said on the show on Monday that he thought flood sirens may have helped get people to higher ground in time to save a lot of lives. But he also said there are not any sirens down in the Guadalupe River Valley and he is working to make sure some are installed before next summer.

When asked if he thought sirens would help, Virdell told Roberts that if you are camping and a siren is nearby, it will probably work. But in other situations, the sirens may not be effective.

He explained that there is a siren about 200 yards from his house, and from inside the house, he and his family cannot hear the siren. From outside, though, they can hear the siren.

“I think that there needs to be other technology we look at,” Virdell said, pointing to satellite internet provider Star Link and some kind of alert system inside of cabins. “That would make a lot of sense. So, sirens, while they have their place, I think there’s other stuff to bring in also.”

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared a public health emergency for the State of Texas on Tuesday to ensure those affected by the catastrophic flooding in the Hill Country region have immediate access to critical health care resources.

“This emergency declaration allows health care providers from across the country to step in quickly and support survivors and their families without delay,” Kennedy said in a post on X on Tuesday.

TEXAS FLOOD SURVIVORS SHARE HARROWING STORIES, SEARCH CONTINUES FOR THOSE STILL MISSING

He assured Texans that he has had regular conversations with Gov. Greg Abbott, and said his heart is with everyone affected by the “devastating tragedy.”

“To those who have lost loved ones, and to the communities facing unimaginable loss and destruction—you are not alone,” Kennedy said. “We are committed to bringing every available resource to help you recover and heal.”

The parents of a Camp Mystic camper confirmed their 10-year-old daughter died in the floods that devastated Kerr County, Texas over the Fourth of July weekend.

“It’s with shattered hearts that we share the devastating news that our beloved daughter, Greta Katherine Toranzo, lost her life in the July Fourth flood in Kerr County,” Ellen and Jorge Toranzo said in a statement. “Greta was thrilled to return to Camp Mystic for a third summer this year. She was overjoyed to be reunited with her camp friends for weeks of fun, laughter, sports, and sisterhood.

“Whether at home, at school, in the pool, or on the tennis court, Greta radiated joy. She was kind, creative, and full of love and also brave, athletic, and determined,” her parents continued. “She was a caring big sister to her little brother, Oliver, and a friend to so many at Sinclair Elementary, the Timbergrove Sports Association, and the Briar Club.

CAMP FLOODING PUTS PARENTS ON EDGE AS TRAGEDY SHOWS DANGER OF SENDING KIDS AWAY FOR SUMMER

“Our hearts are broken beyond words. We miss her bright spirit, her sweet smile, and her endlessly loving heart,” they added. “We’re deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, support, and prayers from friends, family, and our community. We want to thank the first responders, search and rescue teams, and volunteers who worked tirelessly with urgency and compassion during the flood. Their bravery and care will never be forgotten.”

The Toranzos asked for privacy as they grieve the “unimaginable loss” of Greta.

 The Houston Chronicle reported that Greta was a 10-year-old Houston ISD student.

Fox News Digital’s Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.

The father of two 8-year-old twin girls who died in flash flooding at Camp Mystic in Texas told Fox News his daughters shared a bond that only twins could understand.

John Lawrence’s daughters, Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence, were among the victims of the Camp Mystic flash flood tragedy that struck the Hill Country region of Texas over the weekend.

Lawrence shared some of his fondest memories about his daughters with Fox News on Tuesday, describing two very different girls with a bond like no other.

TEXAS MOTHER PRAISES BRAVE CAMP COUNSELORS WHO SAVED HER SONS FROM ‘ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATING’ FLOODS

“Hanna and Rebecca shared a bond that only twins could understand. They were so different, but had the sweetest friendship,” he said. “They both loved books, and could stay up all night reading to each other.  And they could spend hours playing make believe games with each playing multiple starring roles.  They both looked up to and wanted to be just like their big sister Harper.

“Hanna had endless energy and imagination and could always be found building, drawing, and creating,” Lawrence continued. “She would make new friends wherever she went, as soon as she got there.  She loved to push buttons and boundaries, but had a talent for doing it in a way where you could not help but smile.  She wanted to be a chef when she grew up so she could open a restaurant that would feed people in need for free.”

“Rebecca loved to snuggle and was always up for a family movie night.  She loved her sisters and friends but was also independent and happy doing her own thing.  Her laugh was infectious, and no one could make her laugh as much or as hard as Hanna did,” the father noted. “She loved all animals, whether real or plush.  She had her own clear sense of fashion and always knew the exact look she wanted. She was sweet and kind, but had a killer eye-roll.  She wanted to be a teacher when she grew up.”

Ultimately, he described his twin daughters as “happy girls.”

Fox News’ Brooke Taylor contributed to this report.

The Odessa Police Department in Texas confirmed that one of their own died in the horrific floods that devastated the Hill Country region over the weekend.

On Saturday, police said Officer Bailey Martin and some of his family members took a trip to the Guadalupe River near Kerrville to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday.

Martin was one of several people who was still missing at the time.

On Tuesday, the department confirmed that Martin’s body had been found and that the next of kin was notified on Monday night.

A member of the Odessa Police Department is reportedly on location and working to have Martin’s body returned to his family in Odessa.

“Honor Guard members and officers who were close to Bailey will stand watch over the casket until he is released and will then escort him home,” the department said in a social media post. “We kindly ask that you respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time, as they have not only lost Bailey but also several other family members.

“Our prayers go out to them and to everyone affected by this devastating natural disaster,” the department added. “At this time, all OPD officers are wearing mourning bands over their badges and all flags in front of OPD have been lowered to half-staff. The Odessa Police Department would like to encourage the citizens of Odessa to replace their porch lights with blue bulbs for the rest of the week in remembrance of Bailey.”

Pastor Justin Carpenter from Cross Kingdom Church in Kerrville told ‘The Story’ on Tuesday that “It has been amazing to see the way this community has rallied together in this time of crisis.” 

“I woke up in the morning on the Fourth of July to several missed calls and I had just done a funeral for a young 12-year-old girl within our community a week before and my heart sunk and I started to return calls only to find out that this devastation had come through in the night,” he said, recalling the moments he first learned about the flooding in central Texas. 

“We hit the ground running. Friday afternoon at 2:30 we had the church open and started taking donations,” Carpenter added. “We are at capacity for physical donations at the moment, thankfully.” 

President Donald Trump told his Cabinet Tuesday that “I don’t want anyone to focus on us” when he and First Lady Melania Trump visit flood-ravaged central Texas later this week.

“I’ll be going down on Friday with the First Lady – we will be taking a trip, and we don’t want to get in anyone’s way because, you know, it’s what happens. The president goes and everyone’s around focused — I don’t want anyone to focus on us,” Trump said. 

“But it’s possible they could have somebody saved still, you know, a lot of areas, it’s a big area. And, you know, it’s probably unlikely at this point, but there could be. They’re thinking there could be the possibility, but what a tragic situation,” the president added in reference to the search for survivors.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Tuesday that she had broken down inside a cabin at Camp Mystic in Texas while touring the facility over the weekend in the wake of the devastating flooding. 

“I had walked through the cabin where all the little girls died,” Noem said during a Cabinet meeting. “And I had kind of fallen apart in there, but I walked out of the cabin and a gentleman was standing there, and he said ‘that man over there needs a hug.’ And so I walked over to him and I hugged him, and I said, ‘do you work here?’ And he said ‘no, my little girl was in that cabin.’ And he said ‘and I just found her best friend about an hour and a half ago, she had passed away.’ And he just fell apart. And so then we just, hugged and talked for probably an hour about that.” 

“There was a dad there of one of the counselors. The counselor was alive, but she was dealing with the fact that she had hung on to some of these girls and was trying to keep them out of the floodwaters, and had gotten hit by something and had lost two of the girls and wasn’t able to hang on to them and was going to live the rest of her life, thinking about that moment when she wasn’t able to hang on to these girls,” Noem told President Donald Trump. 

“These parents were picking up their kids’ belongings out of the mud and throughout the camp and putting them in bags,” Noem also said. “And then one of the dads said, ‘I knew 50 of these girls here, so I knew that was her dress, my daughter’s friends dress.’ So he was picking it up and putting it in a bag to return to her parents.” 

Noem said during the meeting that “We’re still looking for a lot of little girls and, other family members that were camping along that river” and “they will continue until they find every single person.” 

Blakely McCrory, an 8-year-old camper who vanished from Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, over the weekend, has been found deceased, her family told Fox News. 

“We are exceedingly grateful for each and every one of the thoughts, prayers, and well-wishes that have been sent our way in the past few days,” Blakely’s mother Lindsey McLeod McCrory said. “While we hoped for a miracle, it has been confirmed that Blakely’s life was lost on the Guadalupe that early morning, along with so many others.” 

“And, while we find some comfort in the knowledge that Blakely is happy, safe, and secure in the arms of Jesus, we are beyond shattered and will miss her with every breath we take for the rest of our lives. Eight years on this earth is far too short a stay. Still, we know that Blakely was light and life, and she brightened the day of everyone fortunate enough to cross her path,” she added. 

“Our little corner of the world is a better and brighter place because Blakely was here. Although we must mourn her absence, we will choose to celebrate her life,” she also said. 

Lindsey McLeod McCrory said her family’s “Deepest thanks go to all the first responders, many of whom remained on station for days at a time, without sleep, sustenance, or comfort.  

“You brought Blakely home, and for that, we will always be grateful. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the many other families who have suffered unimaginable loss and trauma in this tragic event. May we all find strength in each other,” she said. 

Fox News’ Ashley Papa contributed to this report.

The death toll
from the flooding in central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend has reached 109, according to the latest numbers from officials.

Deaths have been reported in six Texas counties – Kerr, Burnet, Travis, Kendall, Williamson and Tom Green, FOX Weather reported.

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said Tuesday that “As of 8 a.m. central time, 87 deceased have been recovered in Kerr County, including 56 adults and 30 children.

“Identification is pending for 19 adults and seven children, with one additional person still unidentified. At present, five Camp Mystic campers and one counselor still remain unaccounted for,” he added. 

FOX Weather’s Steven Yablonski contributed to this report.

Officials in central Texas appeared to deflect answering questions Tuesday surrounding the warnings that were issued ahead of the catastrophic flooding of the Guadalupe River over the Fourth of July weekend. 

Tensions escalated at a press conference after one reporter asked if officials could outline “the specific actions and discussions were that local officials took between 1:14 a.m. — that is when the first flood emergency alert came out – and hours later” when the river was flooding. 

“What I can tell you, when I was first notified, it was around the 4 to 5 area, one of my sergeants was in dispatch when the first calls started coming in. The actual 911 calls come in,” Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said in response. “But prior to that, in that 3 to 4 area, my understanding is — we’re in the process of trying to put a timeline, you know, that’s going to take a little bit of time. As I’ve told you several times, that is not my priority this time. There’s three priorities. That’s locating the people out there, identifying and notifying the next of kin. That is what I’m taking as my job as sheriff here to do. Okay?” 

“With all due respect sir, I think that the community here is asking these questions. What happened, when did it happen, was the emergency manager awake at the time? Did they push the button to issue an emergency alert?” another reporter then asked. 

“Sir, it’s not that easy and just push a button. Okay. There’s a lot more to that,” Leitha said. 

“So did it happen?” the reporter then asked. 

“I can’t tell you at this time,” Leitha said. 

“So you can’t tell me if the emergency manager of the county actually issued an emergency alert?” the reporter said. 

“We understand you have many questions. But right now, this team up here is focused on bringing people home,” Texas Game Warden Ben Baker later said, before a reporter added “it seems like you are ducking.”

The Austin Firefighters Association said it is holding a no confidence vote against Fire Chief Joel Baker, claiming he delayed the deployment of firefighters to assist in flood relief efforts in Kerrville. 

“It brings the Austin Firefighters no pleasure to report to the community that the Austin Fire Chief DENIED the deployment of Austin firefighters to Kerrville until very late into the event (so today!), with the exception of only 3 AFD rescue swimmers who helped staff helo teams (which still were NOT deployed until the afternoon of the 4th),” the organization wrote on Instagram on Monday. 

“The Austin Firefighter Special Operations teams are specially trained for Hill Country swift water rescue and are some of the best, if not the best, swift water boat teams in the State of Texas,” it added.” It is absolutely outrageous that the Austin Fire Chief, Joel G. Baker, would not allow highly trained firefighters from Austin to respond to Kerrville. Because of this egregious dereliction of duty, LIVES WERE VERY LIKELY LOST BECAUSE OF CHIEF BAKER’S DECISION!” 

The Austin Fire Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital on Tuesday. 

In an interview with KXAN,
Baker said he was aware of three requests for deployment on the Fourth of July as floods were ravaging central Texas: one for an assistant chief who chose not to head there, another for a dispatcher which was denied and a third for rescue swimmers, which were sent over. 

“It’s important that we are able to function and maintain a certain level of readiness in the city of Austin. Now, to keep in mind — again — I was not sure how much of the weather would impact my city — the city of Austin. I need to make sure that I have an adequate amount of resources within the city so I can respond for my mutual aid calls and my automatic aid calls around the city of Austin,” Baker told the station. 

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said Tuesday that “As of 8 a.m. central time, 87 deceased have been recovered in Kerr County, including 56 adults and 30 children. 

“Identification is pending for 19 adults and seven children, with one additional person still unidentified. At present, five Camp Mystic campers and one counselor still remain unaccounted for,” he added. 

“We ask private boats to stay off the Guadalupe River to allow search and rescue teams to operate without any interference,” Leitha also said. 

“We’ve searched 26 river miles since the tragic event had started. We’ve had approximately 444 rescues. Thirty recoveries. Some of our resources and assets we have dedicated to this tragic event include two helicopters with hoist teams, 12 drone teams, ten K-9 units, nine swiftwater boat crews, 15 airboats, 16 UTVs and 169 4-wheel drive vehicles,” Texas Game Warden Ben Baker told reporters during a press conference.

The owner of a Texas Hill Country RV park and restaurant is recounting her experience of flooding that left more than 100 people dead.  

Lorena Guillen, who owns Blue Oak RV Park and Howdy’s Bar and Grill in Kerrville, said the rain started to come down around 1 a.m. By 2:30 a.m., she “went to check the water levels of the river.” At that point, she said, it looked “fine.” She called the sheriff’s office, which had no information at that point, so she went to sleep – only to be awoken between 3:30 and 4 a.m. by “lights of the rescuers.”

“It was so fast,” Guillen told Fox News Digital. “It was so crazy, and I was going from RV to RV, banging on doors, getting everybody out.”

“One of my residents had called 911 because they could hear people screaming,” she recalled. “But this is the middle of the night, it’s pitch black.”

“My husband got down all the way down to his waist in water just trying to rescue the people, and he was asking the guy ‘please throw me your baby’ and few seconds later, they got swept away,” she continued. 

Fox News Digital’s Rachel Wolf contributed to this report.

Major corporations are stepping up support for disaster relief efforts after flash floods wreaked havoc across several central Texas communities over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, killing at least 104.

The Home Depot Foundation, Home Depot’s philanthropic arm, pledged $250,000 to support disaster relief
efforts in communities affected by the flooding. It is also working alongside its long-standing nonprofit partners, including World Central Kitchen, Convoy of Hope, Operation Blessing and Team Rubicon, to deliver critical relief supplies and meals to affected communities, the foundation said.

Home Depot’s employee volunteer force, known as Team Depot, is also identifying donations needed to support cleanup and other recovery efforts in partnership with local organizations that have boots on the ground, the foundation said.

Walmart is also pledging $500,000 to support disaster relief, including $250,000 in direct donations. The company will also match up to $250,000 in additional customer and member donations, that can soon be made online or in-stores and clubs in Texas.

P&G told FOX Business that it has already deployed its disaster response team, which includes the Tide Loads of Hope Mobile Laundry Unit, as well as mobile shower and restroom facilities. The team will also distribute essential relief supplies to affected areas. 

Airbnb.org announced that it is providing free, emergency housing to people impacted by flooding in central Texas. The nonprofit, a separate entity from Airbnb Inc., works to provide free or discounted temporary housing to people in times of crisis.

Texas Rep. August Pfluger told “America’s Newsroom” on Tuesday that more than 100 children at Camp Mystic took refuge on the second floor of a building to escape the rising floodwaters over the Fourth of July weekend. 

Pfluger, speaking after being reunited with his two daughters who were evacuated from the camp in Hunt, Texas, said many of the young girls there couldn’t sleep in the early morning of the Fourth of July “because the storm was that intense.” 

“Everybody talked about the lightning and the thunder being so intense, and they could see that the water was rising. But it rose so quickly that as they were evacuated out to what they call ‘Rec Hall,’ which, has been mentioned as an 80-year-old plus building. They got into Rec Hall, they walked through almost knee-deep water to get there,” he said. 

“And as the cabins were being alerted, that water was rising so quickly that within ten minutes they had gone up to the second floor of Rec Hall, which, by the way, is not a very sturdy place,” Pfluger added. “The campers are not generally allowed to be up there. So you had 100 plus children that were up there watching this water rise almost to the second floor, and seeing the water, you know, continue to come up in a way that it’s just — it’s unimaginable.” 

Pfluger said “We got notification, early, really through a network of moms, that there had been pretty severe flooding. 

“Nobody really knew, the severity of what that meant, because, you know, the damage that we’ve seen, it’s unimaginable. It happened so quickly. But as those text messages started happening, there was very little contact because power was out at the camp. I mean this wall of water literally destroyed everything in its path. So, the communication came very slowly,” he continued. 

“Many families across Texas are grieving, we are continuing to pray for those who have lost their daughters and those who are still searching for their daughters,” Pfluger also said. 

The National Weather Service said Tuesday that “isolated to scattered afternoon and early evening showers and storms are forecast across the Coastal Plains, I-35 corridor, and eastern Hill Country” in Texas. 

“Isolated pockets of heavy rainfall are possible,” its Austin/San Antonio office said. “Chances of rain will decrease gradually Tuesday. Drier and warmer conditions are forecast Wednesday through the weekend.” 

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said Tuesday that “Almost every house on our street in Houston has a green ribbon tied around the trees, to remember the precious girls lost at Mystic.”

The private Christian summer camp in Hunt, Texas, said Monday that it “is grieving the loss of 27 campers and counselors following the catastrophic flooding on the Guadalupe river.”

“Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly,” it added. “We have been in communication with local and state authorities who are tirelessly deploying extensive resources to search for our missing girls.”

Ten campers and one counselor remain missing from Camp Mystic as of Tuesday morning.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton
is warning scammers they will “face the full force of the law” if they try to take advantage of victims reeling from the devastating flooding. 

“There are no words for how wrong it is that morally bankrupt people are trying to take advantage of Texans by using this tragedy to scam them,” he said in a statement. 

“The Office of the Attorney General would like to caution everyone in any area affected by storms and flooding to be extremely careful with people offering to help you rebuild or reconstruct,” Paxton’s office said Monday.  

“Scams involving contractors failing to perform work they were paid to do are not uncommon following such tragic disasters,” it added. “Flood victims are reminded to be wary of contractors from out of the area, don’t rush into signing a contract, ask for references, and check with the Better Business Bureau to ensure they’re working with a trustworthy business.” 

Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice told reporters Monday that some victims’ families are being contacted by scammers who are “saying that they have their kids, pay me money.” 

“It’s heartbreaking. It’s absolutely heartbreaking,” he added. 

Gracie Hunt, the daughter of Kansas City Chiefs owners Clark and Tavia Hunt, mourned the loss of a 9-year-old relative who died in the devastating Texas floods over the weekend.

Janie Hunt was one of the dozens of children at Camp Mystic who died in the floods. She was just 9 years old. Gracie Hunt posted a heartbreaking message on Instagram as devastating news continued to pour out of the county where Camp Mystic was.

“Some days, it’s hard to understand how the world can hold both so much beauty and so much pain. How can the same God who created the stars and set the planets in motion allow such deep suffering? The truth is, we live in a broken world – one that groans for redemption,” she wrote citing a passage from Romans. “But Scripture promises that one day, Christ will make all things new – a new heaven and a new earth (2 Peter 3:13).

“My heart aches for our extended family and friends who lost daughters – for every life lost and every family shattered by the floods in Texas. I don’t have easy answers, but I do know this: following Jesus doesn’t spare us from pain – but it means we never face it alone.

“Even in the darkest valleys, we hold on to the hope that this is not the end of the story.”

The head of a nonprofit assisting in the search for survivors of the central Texas flooding told “Fox & Friends First” on Tuesday that no rock is being left unturned. 

“At the end, it’s all about hope. That is the last thing we lose and that is why we are here,” Project Dynamo President and CEO Mario Duarte said.  “Here we are still hoping for miracles, but we also understand that we are getting close to that phase that is going to be probably the hardest, which is recovery and also accepting what we have lost, the people we have lost and the mourning. But in the end in comes with faith also that we will have to rebuild and we will rebuild stronger.” 

Project Dynamo describes itself as a nonprofit “dedicated to rescue, aid, and assistance in crisis zones around the world.  

Duarte said its members are checking debris along the banks of the Guadalupe River from Center Point to Kerrville.  

“We found this little doll, rag doll completely destroyed close to where we found some of the bodies,” Duarte said. 

“Our military veterans with Project Dynamo, we are all infantryman, former special forces, former rangers, we are bringing military precision to humanitarian assistance. It doesn’t matter how difficult it is, we are just going along and making sure that we don’t leave a rock unturned. If there is anyone alive, we are still trying to find them,” he added. 

Officials in Kerr County, Texas said a “drone operating in restricted airspace collided with a helicopter involved in emergency operations in Kerr County. 

“The helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing, and a critical piece of response equipment is now out of service until further notice,” the county said in a Facebook post on Monday night.

“This was entirely preventable. Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are not suggestions. They are federal airspace rules designed to protect lives during emergency situations,” the county also said. “When you fly a drone in restricted areas, you’re not just breaking the law — you’re putting first responders, emergency crews, and the public at serious risk.” 

The Kerrville Police Department warned the public Monday against traveling to central Texas to look at flood damage, saying that “sightseers” are getting in the way of first responders.  

“Our first responders were hampered by heavy traffic yesterday, mostly sightseers who are making things worse. If you’re not from here, don’t come here to see flood damage. If you live here, avoid the river corridor so our first responders can do their jobs,” it said in a post on Facebook. 

United Cajun Navy Vice President Brian Trascher told “Fox & Friends” on Tuesday that a specialized team of mainly combat veterans is helping search for victims of the central Texas flooding. 

“It’s something that you never get over,” Trascher said in reference to finding young victims. 

“Normally in these kind of missions we will put out like a wide call for volunteers… but we stuck to what we call special ops volunteers who are pretty much all combat veterans – very mentally tough, very able to handle anything emotionally,” he said. “They do come across some things that are really hard to see.” 

Trascher also said the devastation in central Texas is similar to what his organization saw following Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. 

“The biggest contrast is the response is completely different. The coordination between the state of Texas and the federal government was from day one and it has been highly professional and highly effective in our opinion. It makes our job as easier as volunteers,” he said. 

The United Cajun Navy describes itself as a “grassroots nonprofit organization” based in Louisiana. 

“Armed with boats, trucks, and an unyielding sense of community, the United Cajun Navy specializes in delivering life-saving rescue efforts, humanitarian aid, and logistical support in areas severely affected by floods, hurricanes, and other catastrophic events,” it said on its website. 

As countless children flock to summer camps around the country to enjoy the outdoors while school is out, the wholly American tradition has not existed without a history of tragic horror stories leaving families grieving the unimaginable.  

Over the Fourth of July weekend, 27 children and counselors were killed after a flash flood swept through Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, the all-girls Christian camp said Monday morning. Ten campers and one counselor remain unaccounted for as authorities race to search the receding floodwaters of the Guadalupe River. 

The devastating events unfolding at Camp Mystic are the most recent in a long line of tragedies striking summer camps throughout the country, with parents sending their children off with the expectation that the only phone call home will be due to homesickness. 

“This tragic event ranks among the most severe flooding disasters in recent camp history, and its scale has deeply shaken the camp community,” American Camp Association CEO Henry DeHart said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Camps across the country work tirelessly to provide safe, enriching experiences, and our focus remains on supporting those affected during this incredibly difficult time.” 

The scene
at Camp Mystic is eerily reminiscent of a 1987 tragedy that stemmed from the same river that continues to claim the lives of campgoers after this weekend’s floods. 

Nearly four decades ago, over 300 children were attending summer camp at the Pot O’ Gold Ranch, located approximately two miles southwest of Comfort, Texas, when severe thunderstorms moved into the area, according to the National Weather Service. 

A total of 39 teenagers and four adults were carried away by floodwaters, with 10 of the teens drowning, according to NWS. The remaining survivors were subsequently rescued — some by helicopter — and taken to safety. 

In June 2015, a 13-year-old camper died after floodwaters ravaged a Boy Scout troop’s New Mexico campsite as the children slept, according to the Associated Press.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said Monday that his state sent a team to Texas to support search efforts amid the devastating flooding in the Lone Star State.

“This Louisiana crew is off to Texas to assist with search efforts after the tragic flood,” Landry wrote on X, accompanied by a picture of the team sent to Texas.

“There are 14 Louisiana Swift Water Rescue personnel total with equipment. GOHSEP remains in contact with Texas to see how else Louisiana can support,” he continued, referring to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

The governor added: “Please continue to pray for all those affected and our great neighbors in Texas.”

The Houston Astros organization pledged $1 million to aid with relief efforts.

“The Houston Astros organization announces they are committing $1 million to support relief efforts for those impacted by the devastating flooding in Central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend,” the announcement noted.

“The Astros will support immediate relief efforts and needs of our neighbors in Central Texas in the short term, along with supporting long-term efforts around one of the core pillars of the Astros Foundation – youth initiatives. Beyond the initial investment, the Astros Foundation will launch a fan-based initiative to mobilize our passionate fan base. Together, we will provide resources to ensure our Central Texas neighbors have the sustained support they need to rebuild and recover.”

GOP Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, posted three heart emojis when he shared a post about the announcement.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday that additional state emergency response resources have been activated, as he vowed that “Texas will remain engaged until every missing person is found and every Texan recovers from this disaster.”

“The State of Texas is working around the clock to support emergency management personnel and local officials as they continue recovery and rescue operations across the state,” Abbott said in an update.

“There is still a threat of heavy rain with the potential to cause flooding in the Central Texas, Hill Country, Big Country, and Concho Valley regions,” he continued. “Texans are urged to remain weather aware, heed the guidance of local officials, and regularly monitor weather forecasts. Texas will remain engaged until every missing person is found and every Texan recovers from this disaster.”

Under the governor’s direction, the
Texas State Operations Center remains at a Level II (Escalated Response) to support requests for assistance from local officials as they continue to respond to the rainfall and flooding that is still impacting the state.

The state has deployed more than 1,750 personnel and more than 975 vehicles and equipment assets to respond to the flooding, the governor’s office said. More than 20 state agencies are responding to flooding threats across the state.

State emergency response resources that remain available to support local emergency response efforts include the Texas Division of Emergency Management, Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas National Guard, as well as at least 15 others.