Hours after a devastating flash flood swept away campers on Saturday, official images have surfaced depicting the wreckage of several girls' bedrooms at Camp Mystic. The photographs reveal walls of a cabin at the beloved Texas camp obliterated, with relentless rain continuing to batter the state.
Camp Mystic is nestled in Hunt, Texas, approximately 117 miles from Austin. It is situated near the Guadalupe River, which overflowed its banks , taking with it various structures and unsuspecting campers.
The released photos show extensive damage within the camp , with houses displaying varying degrees of destruction and scattered debris as search efforts for the missing campers continue. One particularly chilling image captures the abandoned bunk beds of a girls' cabin, surrounded by their personal items scattered about.
The campers' beds and blankets are covered in thick mud and slime, with belongings such as bags, toys, and clothing scattered across the ground. Additional photos show a building's roof sagging dangerously, with sharp wooden fragments beneath, and nearby trees uprooted by the force of the water.
Another photograph shows suitcases and furniture left abandoned outside a building, creating a haunting scene after the river's surge that "completely destroyed" the Christian summer camp on Friday, reports the Mirror US .
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"The camp was completely destroyed. A helicopter landed and started taking people away. It was really scary," recounted 13-year-old Elinor Lester. As of Saturday night, the flood's toll had climbed to 43 confirmed fatalities.
The search for the remaining campers continues, but the families of four missing girls have reported their daughters deceased. The young victims, nine-year-olds Janie Hunt, Renee Smajstrla, Sarah Marsh, and Lila Bonner, were among the first to be found and publicly identified.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick disclosed on Friday that over 20 children from the all-girls private Christian summer camp, which accommodates around 750 kids, were still missing. In response to the disaster, more than 850 residents of Kerr County have been evacuated.
"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," shared the girl's uncle Shawn on Facebook. "We are thankful she was with her friends and having the time of her life, as evidenced by this picture from yesterday."
Anne Hunt, speaking to CNN on Friday, said her family was holding out hope for news about her daughter, admitting they had no information on her whereabouts. "In the midst of our unimaginable grief, we ask for privacy and are unable to confirm any details at this time," stated the Bonner family.
"We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly for others to be spared from this tragic loss." At a press conference on Saturday, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. extended his thanks to city crews, county staff, and state agencies.
"People need to know, today will be a hard day," he said, his voice shaking. "It will be a hard day."
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