Heartfelt tributes poured in after the body of nine-year-old Renee Smajstrla was recovered in the wake of catastrophic flash flooding in the Texas Hill Country. The death toll has risen to 27, including nine children swept away from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe River.
In a moving tribute on social media, Renee’s uncle, Shawn Salta, said: “Thank you to all our friends and family for all the prayers and outreach. Renee has been found and while not the outcome we prayed for, the social media outreach likely assisted the first responders in helping to identify her so quickly…She will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic.”
Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed the death toll, adding that rescue operations were ongoing late Saturday, coordinating helicopters, drones, boats, and over 1,000 rescuers in a race against time and rising, destructive waters.
The disaster unfolded early on Friday when an intense storm unleashed water along the Guadalupe River, surging over 26 feet in just 45 minutes and destroying cabins, vehicles, and bridges in its path. Camp Mystic, which had over 700 campers, was hit hard—at least 24 girls were reported missing, with many feared dead.
Survivors spoke of the terror – for example, 13-year-old Elinor Lester described how rescuers tied a rope across a flooded bridge:
She said: “The water was whipping around our legs… the camp was completely destroyed.”
About 240 people were rescued, including frantic parents who shared pleas online and waited anxiously at reunification centres. In Ingram, Erin Burgess recalled holding onto a tree with her teenage son as floodwaters engulfed their home, saying: “Thankfully he’s over six feet tall…that’s the only thing that saved me.”
Matthew Stone from Kerrville told the Washington Post no warning alert reached him before the deluge, adding: “Then — a pitch black wall of death.”
The intensity of the storm—months’ worth of rain in one surge—caught many off-guard. The National Weather Service and AccuWeather had issued flash flood warnings hours beforehand, but officials now face criticism over whether camps like Camp Mystic should have received immediate evacuation orders.
Texas Lt Gov Dan Patrick told the New York Post all available warnings had been issued ahead of the storm. Yet Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly conceded that the county “does not have a warning system,” admitting authorities didn’t anticipate such a violent flood.
Meteorologist Bob Fogarty confirmed that river gauges near the camp recorded a 22‑foot rise in two hours before failing at nearly 30 feet.
He added: “The water’s moving so fast, you’re not going to recognize how bad it is until it’s on top of you.”
Central Texas, dubbed “flash flood alley” for its shallow soil and rapid runoff, is acutely vulnerable. Community leader Austin Dickson noted that what was once a peaceful river transformed into “a deadly torrent in minutes.”
With more rain forecast through Sunday, the flood risk remains high. Meanwhile, the search continues—relentless and heart-wrenching—as families cling to hope in the face of unimaginable loss.
For the Smajstrla family, the confirmation of Renee’s death brings devastating clarity, but also gratitude for every effort made to find her. They have asked that others continue to pray for the missing families in Kerr County.