A harrowing scene emerged overnight at a Christian summer retreat in Hunt, Texas, after two campers were tragically discovered dead following devastating flash floods.
The victims, identified as 12-year-old Renee Smajstrla and 14-year-old Janie Hunt, were attending the camp located along the fast-swelling Guadalupe River. Torrential rains unleashed fierce flooding that swept cabins off their foundations and swallowed access roads, prompting a large-scale evacuation effort.
Camp staff and volunteers launched a frantic search operation amid rising waters and unstable terrain. Rescue teams combed the area, deploying boats, helicopters, and on-foot patrols as families anxiously waited for news.
Renee and Janie were found in a ravine late Wednesday night, their bodies recovered by emergency responders. Officials confirmed they were the only confirmed fatalities connected to the campground incident.
The disaster has left a somber mood across this tight-knit community. Authorities and camp leaders continue to aid families and coordinate relief operations, while state officials investigate the flood’s swift impact and the emergency protocols in place.
Amid rescue and recovery efforts, the wider search for missing campers continues. The tragedy has sparked conversations on weather preparedness at remote recreational sites and the growing dangers posed by sudden natural disasters.