Two Best Friends Among Dozens Missing After Texas Camp Flooding

More info: nypost.com

What was supposed to be a joyful summer full of laughter, campfires, and lifelong friendships has turned into a heartbreaking nightmare for dozens of families. In the quiet town of Hunt, Texas, floodwaters swallowed what should have been a safe haven — a Christian summer camp nestled by the Guadalupe River — and with it, nearly two dozen young girls vanished into the storm.

From Thursday night into early Friday, unyielding rains battered the region, transforming the peaceful Guadalupe River into a violent, surging torrent.

It surged more than 20 feet in just 90 minutes — faster than anyone could have imagined, faster than anyone could react. Camp Mystic, a cherished tradition for many families, became a scene of chaos as cabins were swept away and parents were left clinging to hope.

The majority of the girls, ranging in age from just 7 to 17, were rushed to safety as the waters rose. But for 23 of them — there was no time. They were separated from their counselors, their friends, their parents — and carried into uncertainty by the flood.

Thirteen people have been confirmed dead in Kerr County so far. Authorities haven’t said if any of them are the missing campers. But for the parents standing by with trembling hands and tear-streaked faces, the silence is deafening.

“We’re praying for all those missing to be found alive,” said Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, holding onto hope with the rest of the community. “They could be in a tree. They could be out of communication.”

Camp Mystic reassured parents, asking them to remain calm unless they were contacted directly. But for those still waiting in silence, each passing moment feels endless and heavy with fear.

Among the girls confirmed missing are:

• Hadley Hanna, 8 years old — Described by her parents as a sweet, bright light. Her family drove straight from Dallas to Hunt, desperate to be near any updates.

• Lainey Landry, 9 — Her mother described her as “brave and sweet,” two words that now carry the weight of a mother’s prayer.

• Eloise Peck — She shared a cabin with several of her best friends. Since the storm hit, there’s been no word from any of them.
• Lila Bonner — In a gut-wrenching photo shared by her parents, Lila is seen with arms wrapped around Eloise, both girls smiling wide. That image is now a haunting memory.

• Renee Smajstrla — Like Eloise and Lila, she was part of the same tight-knit group. All three girls are still missing.

• Janie Hunt — Her mother, holding back tears in an interview, could only say, “We are just praying.”

• Kellyanne Lytal, Virginia Hollis, and Greta Toranzo — all bright young souls, confirmed missing, all being searched for relentlessly.

These names are more than just part of a tragic news story — they’re daughters, sisters, best friends. They were there to laugh under the stars, to sing silly songs, to feel the magic of summer. Now, families and volunteers scour the muddy banks and broken trees, holding onto hope against all odds.

And perhaps — just maybe — one by one, we’ll hear the kind of stories that make miracles feel real again. Of girls found clinging to branches, huddled in trees, walking barefoot through the woods with nothing but determination and the will to live.

Until then, we wait. We hope. And we hold each name close to our hearts, because every single one of them deserves to come home.