Camp Mystic confirms 27 campers and counselors killed in Texas flooding

At least 27 campers and counselors from Camp Mystic in Texas died in devastating flash flooding that swept through the region, the camp announced Monday. More than 80 people have died in the flooding that struck Texas Hill Country on Friday.

SEE ALSO: Death toll in devastating central Texas flash floods climbs to 82, more than 40 remain missing

During a news conference Monday morning, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said 10 campers and one counselor were still unaccounted for as search and rescue operations continue.

"Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy," the camp said in a statement on its website. "We are praying for them constantly."

MORE IN VIDEO BELOW:

The camp expressed gratitude for the support it's received from people in the wake of the devastating floods.

"We ask for your continued prayers, respect and privacy for each of our families affected," the camp said. "May the Lord continue to wrap His presence around all of us."

RELATED: Gov. Stitt and Oklahoma Task Force 1 respond to Texas Flash Flood disaster

Leitha told reporters Monday morning that official identifications for the remains of 15 adults and nine children recovered in Kerr County were still pending.

"This will be a rough week," Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. said. "Primary search continues, and we remain hopeful every foot, every mile, every bend of the river."

EXTRA: White House Press Briefing from July 7, 2025

About 750 children were at the camp when the flooding struck, Leitha has said. Camp Mystic describes itself as a private Christian summer camp for girls located on the banks of the Guadalupe River.

The river rapidly rose early on the Fourth of July, catching many people off guard. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told reporters Friday the river rose about 26 feet in 45 minutes.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has described the devastation at the camp as "nothing short of horrific" after visiting the site over the weekend.

"It, and the river running beside it, were horrendously ravaged in ways unlike I've seen in any natural disaster," Abbott wrote on social media. "The height the rushing water reached to the top of cabins was shocking. We won't stop until we find every girl who was in those cabins."

Items lie scattered inside a cabin at Camp Mystic after deadly flooding in Kerr County, Texas, July 5, 2025.Reuters/Sergio Flores

Camp Mystic's owner and director Dick Eastland, 74, died while trying to save girls at the camp, according to local media reports.

The victims from the camp also included 8-year-old Linnie McCown of Austin, her father confirmed to CBS News. Chloe Childress, an 18-year-old counselor from the Houston area who had just graduated from high school, also died in the storm, according to the Kinkaid School.

Georgia Congressman Buddy Carter said his two grandchildren survived, but their cousin, 9-year-old Janie Hunt, died. She's related to Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt.

"God has wrapped his arms around her," Carter told Fox News Channel. "And our thoughts and prayers are with all of those involved."

Camp Mystic campers Eloise Peck, 8, and 9-year-old Lila Bonner also died in the flooding. Bonner's family confirmed to CBS Texas on Saturday that she was among the children confirmed dead and Peck's family on Sunday posted a note at their home saying she had died as well.

The catastrophic flooding has triggered a massive response from authorities conducting rescue and recovery missions.

According to Abbott, more than 1,500 state personnel have been deployed to the flood zone.

Janet Shamlian, Cara Tabachnick and Emily Mae Czachor contributed to this report.