At least 107 people died in flash flooding in Texas, with more still missing
Deadly July 4 flash floods in western Texas have so far claimed at least 107 lives, including those of 27 children at a Christian summer camp.
A search remains underway for at least 10 girls and a camp counselor still missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian, girls-only sleepaway camp in Hunt, Texas. The camp’s director, Richard “Dick” Eastland, died while trying to save campers from the deluge.
“Texans are known for their faith, strength and resilience,” said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who is Catholic. “Even as floodwaters raged, neighbors rushed in to rescue, comfort and bring hope. In times of loss, we turn to God for comfort, healing and strength. I urge every Texan to join me in prayer this Sunday — for the lives lost, for those still missing, for the recovery of our communities and for the safety of those on the front lines.”
Gov. Abbot declared July 6 a day of prayer throughout the state. The state received prayers from Rome as Pope Leo XIV spoke of the horrific events at his Sunday Angelus talk.
“I would like to express sincere condolences to all the families who have lost loved ones, in particular their daughters, who were at the summer camp, in the disaster caused by flooding of the Guadalupe River in Texas in the United States,” he said, adding, “We pray for them.”
The Archdiocese of San Antonio asked for the intercession of St. Anthony of Padua for “our communities in need.” In a social media post, it prayed for “families who have lost loved ones, homes or livelihoods due to the recent flooding in the Hill Country, that they may find strength and healing through Christ.”
Among the dead were two sisters from St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Dallas, Blair and Brooke Harber, 13 and 11 years old. The girls were camping with their grandparents along the Guadalupe River. According to a GoFundMe for the family, the girls were known to love religion class and had their rosaries with them on the trip. The sisters’ bodies were found 15 miles away with their hands clasped together.
The girls’ parents were in a separate cabin and were able to survive the flood, but their grandparents were still missing as of July 7.
“Please keep the Harber family in your prayers during this time of profound grief. May our faith, our love and our St. Rita community be a source of strength and comfort in the days ahead,” St. Rita’s pastor, Father Joshua J. Whitfield, said in a message to the church community.
Notre Dame Catholic Church in Kerrville, where Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller of San Antonio celebrated a July 6 Mass following the tragedy, has been a hub of both material and spiritual support for the devastated community. The outpouring of support has been so great that the church has paused collection of food, water, clothes and cleaning supplies, although financial donations are still being accepted.
The archbishop went to Kerrville July 4 and spoke with families affected by the flooding, including one mother whose 9-year-old daughter was still missing from Camp Mystic. He visited a designated site serving the families searching for their loved ones, and he encountered many people there who were scared and who welcomed prayers as they sought answers.
“Catholic Charities was present, bringing food, clothes, hygiene articles, water,” Archbishop García-Siller said, adding that they “were able to place cots there because families have been evacuated and some families also have lost their house or their trailer so they will need a place to stay.”
Driving to the area, the archbishop asked himself what God was “asking of me in this situation, so that I would be useful,” to those facing fear and loss, but he said his focus quickly changed when he arrived from wondering how he could best be helpful to simply being present to those who were suffering.
“In my case, it’s calling upon the Holy Spirit to guide me to know how to be present, not just to them in general, but to this individual,” he said.
Notre Dame Parish has announced a nightly Rosary, which was to be prayed July 7-11 for flood victims, families still searching for loved ones, first responders and volunteers.
“All are invited, parishioner or not, Catholic or not, to join us” in prayer, said the parish.
Gina Christian, OSV News, contributed to this report.
Catholic Charities USA has set up a page to help local Catholic agencies assisting those affected by the flood. Visit here to find out how to help at stlreview.com/4eygZUS
