KERRVILLE, Texas (CBS News/AP) — The death toll from the catastrophic flash floods that ravaged central Texas continues to climb, with officials now confirming at least 81 lives lost, including 28 children, in one of the deadliest weather disasters in the state’s history. Among the missing are 10 girls and one counselor from the beloved Camp Mystic in Kerr County, a place that just days ago was filled with the sounds of summer joy.

What began as a festive Fourth of July weekend in Texas Hill Country turned into a nightmare early Friday morning when torrential rainfall — far exceeding forecasts — triggered a ferocious surge of the Guadalupe River. The water rose to the height of a two-story building in under an hour, sweeping away cabins, RVs, and vehicles, and trapping hundreds as the river raged through towns and campsites.

Heartbreak at Camp Mystic

Camp Mystic, a historic all-girls Christian summer camp with deep roots in the region, has become the emotional epicenter of the disaster. At its peak, the camp hosted around 750 girls aged 8 to 17 this summer. Initially, authorities feared as many as 27 campers were missing. By Sunday, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed that 10 girls and one counselor remain unaccounted for.

Elinor Lester, 13, was one of the older campers rescued from elevated cabins on “Senior Hill.” She was evacuated by helicopter after being jolted awake by the sound of thunder and water lashing against the windows. “The camp was completely destroyed,” she recalled. “It was really scary.”

Her mother, Elizabeth Lester, said her son was at nearby Camp La Junta and also escaped. “My kids are safe,” she said through tears, “but knowing others are still missing is just eating me alive.”

Rising Death Toll and Federal Response

The tragedy has devastated Kerr County, where 68 of the 81 confirmed fatalities occurred, including 40 adults and 28 children. Eighteen of the adults and 10 of the children remain unidentified, underscoring the scale of the chaos left in the flood’s wake. Another 13 deaths were reported in nearby counties such as Travis, Burnet, Kendall, Williamson, and Tom Green.

President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Kerr County on Sunday at the request of Texas Governor Greg Abbott. “The height the rushing water reached to the top of cabins was shocking,” Abbott said after touring the wreckage. “We won’t stop until we find every girl who was in those cabins.”

‘Flash Flood Alley’ Lived Up to Its Name

The region is no stranger to flooding, often referred to as “Flash Flood Alley” due to its topography and rapid runoff. But even seasoned residents and officials were stunned by the magnitude of this event. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly described seeing body bags at a local funeral home before flying over the damage with Sen. John Cornyn. “We didn’t know. We knew the river could rise, but nobody saw this coming,” he said.

The Guadalupe River’s rise was swift and catastrophic. Kerrville’s city manager, Mark Rice, explained that rainfall overwhelmed the river’s two forks — the north and south — sending a torrent of water surging through the city. “In a matter of minutes, it went from 7 feet to 29 feet,” Rice said. The National Weather Service confirmed the river crested at its second-highest level on record, exceeding even the infamous 1987 flood that killed 10 campers from another nearby Christian camp.

Search and Rescue Underway

Search and rescue efforts have involved hundreds of responders using helicopters, boats, drones, and high-water vehicles. More than 160 air rescues have been conducted, including 223 by the U.S. Coast Guard, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Officials say over 850 uninjured people have been rescued, along with eight injured.

Still, 41 people across the region remain unaccounted for, and officials caution the number may grow as unregistered visitors — such as RV campers or tourists — are identified.

“We will stop at nothing to ensure that every asset, every plane, every person needed is part of the rescue,” Abbott emphasized.

A Community in Mourning

The emotional toll has rippled far beyond Texas. Pope Leo XIV, speaking at the Vatican on Sunday, expressed “sincere condolences to all the families who have lost loved ones, in particular their daughters who were at summer camp.”

Among the victims are 8-year-olds Hadley Hanna and Eloise Peck, both from Dallas and campers at Mystic. Lila Bonner, 9, was also confirmed dead by her family. Two sisters, Blair and Brooke Harber, were killed while staying with grandparents along the Guadalupe. Their grandparents remain missing.

Congressman August Pfluger revealed that two of his own children were evacuated from Camp Mystic. “The last day has brought unimaginable grief to many families,” he wrote. “We mourn with them while holding out hope.”

Camp Mystic’s Struggle to Rebuild

In a statement read by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Camp Mystic said it had lost power, water, and Wi-Fi. “The highway has washed away, so we are struggling to get more help,” the camp reported.

Photos from the scene show cabins ripped open, furniture and personal belongings scattered like confetti. A lone Texas flag hangs inside one splintered building — a haunting symbol of resilience amid devastation.

As the sun sets on the flood-stricken Hill Country, families cling to hope, waiting for news, praying for miracles. The joy that once defined Camp Mystic now feels distant. In its place: grief, grit, and a community forever changed.