An Alabama elementary student and a camp director among those killed in devasting Texas floods

A beloved manager of Texas summertime campy for girls. An Alabama simple pupil distant from home. A pistillate recovered dormant aft an intensive search. These are a fewer of the dozens of victims mislaid successful devastating flooding successful Texas.

The flooding successful cardinal Texas originated from the fast-moving waters connected the Guadalupe River connected Friday, sidesplitting much than 50 people, including 15 children. Authorities accidental hunt and rescue efforts are inactive underway for dozens missing from a summertime campy for girls.

JANE RAGSDALE

Jane Ragsdale, 68, devoted her beingness to the Heart O’the Hills Camp, a summertime campy for girls successful Texas Hill Country. She was a camper and counsellor determination herself successful the 1970s earlier becoming a co-owner. By the 1980s, she was manager of the campy successful Hunt.

“She was the bosom of The Heart,” the campy said successful a statement. “She was our guiding light, our example, and our harmless place. She had the uncommon acquisition of making each idiosyncratic consciousness seen, loved, and important.”

Since the campy was betwixt sessions, nary children were staying determination erstwhile the floodwaters rose. The camp's facilities, straight successful the way of the flood, were extensively damaged and entree to the tract remained difficult, according to campy officials. The campy has been successful beingness since the 1950s.

Camp officials said Ragsdale would beryllium remembered for her spot and wisdom.

“We are heartbroken. But supra all, we are grateful,” the campy said. “Grateful to person known her, to person learned from her, and to transportation her airy forward.”

In a 2015 oral past for the Kerr County Historical Commission, Ragsdale, whose archetypal sanction was Cynthie, but went by her mediate sanction Jane, talked astir however her begetter was besides a campy manager and however overmuch she enjoyed her experiences.

“I loved each infinitesimal of campy from the archetypal clip I stepped ft successful one,” she recalled.

Videos of Ragsdale strumming a guitar and singing to campers during a caller league were posted successful a memorial connected the camp’s Facebook page: “Life is bully today. So support singing ’til we meet, again.”

SARAH MARSH

Eight-year-old Sarah Marsh from Alabama had been attending Camp Mystic successful Texas, a longtime Christian girls campy successful Hunt wherever respective others were killed successful the floods. Several twelve children were inactive missing aboriginal Sunday.

Marsh was a pupil astatine Cherokee Bend Elementary successful suburban Birmingham.

“This is an unimaginable nonaccomplishment for her family, her school, and our full community,” Mountain Brook Mayor Stewart Welch said successful a Facebook post. “Sarah’s passing is simply a sorrow shared by each of us, and our hearts are with those who knew and loved her."

He said the assemblage — wherever astir 20,000 radical reside — would rally down the Marsh household arsenic they grieved.

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama besides noted the girl’s tragic death.

“We proceed to commune for the victims’ loved ones, the survivors, those who are inactive missing, and our brave archetypal responders arsenic hunt and rescue efforts proceed successful Texas,” she said successful a station connected societal media level X.

TANYA BURWICK

Tanya Burwick, 62, had been reported missing aboriginal Friday and was past seen driving successful the San Angelo area, which was besides affected by rising floodwaters. Police investigating her disappearance recovered her unoccupied SUV afloat submerged successful floodwaters aboriginal that day.

When hunt efforts became excessively unsafe by evening, constabulary suspended operations until the pursuing morning. That's erstwhile Burwick's assemblage was recovered conscionable blocks from her vehicle.

“Our hearts are dense arsenic we widen our deepest condolences to Ms. Burwick’s household and loved ones during this incredibly hard time,” the San Angelo Police Department said successful a Facebook post. “We inquire that the nationalist proceed to support the Burwick household successful their thoughts and prayers arsenic they navigate this heartbreaking tragedy.”

Police successful San Angelo said much than 12,000 houses, barns and different buildings person been affected by the floods successful the assemblage of astir 100,000 people.

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