As catastrophic flash flooding continues to devastate the Texas Hill Country, heartbreaking news is emerging from Kerr County, where multiple children have been swept away from Camp Mystic, a well-known all-girls summer camp nestled along the Guadalupe River.

Authorities have now begun releasing the names and photos of those still missing, marking a somber new phase in a crisis that has stunned families and shaken the entire state.

Heavy rainfall over the past 36 hours caused the Guadalupe River to rise with shocking speed late Monday night. By early Tuesday morning, water levels had surged well above flood stage, breaching riverbanks and inundating low-lying areas with terrifying force. Among the hardest hit was Camp Mystic, a historic summer haven for young girls from across Texas and beyond.

At the time the floodwaters surged, over 150 campers and staff were believed to be on site. While a large number were successfully evacuated to higher ground, authorities confirm that several individuals—most of them young campers—were swept away in the chaos. Search and rescue operations have been underway since early Tuesday, involving local sheriff’s departments, Texas Parks and Wildlife rescue units, and specialized swift-water teams from neighboring counties.

As the search stretches into its second day, families and the public are being asked to share verified information widely. Photos and names of at least five missing campers have been shared by their parents and confirmed by local authorities. One such camper is 10-year-old Ava Greene of Houston, described by her aunt as “kind-hearted and always singing.” Ava had been attending Camp Mystic for the first time this summer and was reportedly last seen near the lower bunkhouse when floodwaters hit.

Also missing is 14-year-old Layla Thompson of Dallas, a three-year camp veteran known for her leadership among younger campers. “Layla was on her way to becoming a counselor-in-training,” said her mother through tears during a press briefing. “This was her happy place.”

A third missing camper, 11-year-old Jasmine Lee of San Marcos, was reportedly with a group of girls heading toward the camp’s main hall when the water came rushing in. “They had only a few seconds to react,” said one staff member, who asked to remain anonymous. “The river came up like a wall. It wasn’t gradual. It was violent.”

Parents of the missing have gathered at a reunification center set up at Ingram High School, about 20 minutes from the camp. Inside, local volunteers have been providing food, dry clothing, and emotional support, while emergency personnel deliver periodic updates. Several families have made emotional public appeals for help and awareness, urging anyone with potential information to contact the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office.

Social media has played a central role in this developing story. Posts containing photos and descriptions of the missing have spread rapidly, as users across platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram share and repost in hopes of reaching someone who may have seen something or captured vital footage. Rescue organizers are especially calling on people who may have dashcam or outdoor surveillance video in the area between 6:00 p.m. Monday and 3:00 a.m. Tuesday to step forward.

The Texas Department of Emergency Management reports that weather conditions remain dangerous and fluid. Additional thunderstorms are forecasted for parts of the region, threatening to further complicate search efforts. Water levels in the Guadalupe River are still considered life-threatening in certain stretches, and riverbank conditions are highly unstable.

Helicopters, drones, and boats have all been deployed, but swift currents and floating debris continue to present major obstacles. At several points, search operations had to be paused due to lightning and reduced visibility, though officials insist that rescue efforts will continue through the night and into the coming days as long as it remains safe to do so.

Governor Maria Alvarez addressed the situation in a televised statement Wednesday afternoon. “Our hearts are broken for the families impacted by this unimaginable tragedy,” she said. “Texas is deploying every available resource to locate and bring these children home. We stand with you.” Emergency declarations have since been issued for Kerr County and several neighboring jurisdictions, unlocking additional funding and personnel support.

The community response has been swift and generous. Dozens of Hill Country residents have opened their homes to stranded campers, offered private boats for use in the rescue, and provided food and lodging to affected families and first responders. Local churches and businesses have launched donation drives and coordinated prayer vigils, including one held Wednesday night on the steps of Kerrville’s town hall, where hundreds gathered in silence, holding photos of the missing children.

For many, the tragedy at Camp Mystic is all the more shocking because of the camp’s longstanding reputation for safety and tradition. Founded nearly 100 years ago, the camp has been a rite of passage for generations of young girls. This summer was meant to mark a return to normalcy after years of pandemic-related disruptions.

“It’s not just a camp—it’s a second home to so many girls,” said former camper-turned-counselor Natalie Woods, who arrived at the site early Tuesday to help with the rescue effort. “Seeing it like this… it’s hard to put into words.”

Officials urge the public to avoid speculation and false rumors as the search continues. Several unverified reports have circulated online, prompting authorities to warn against spreading unconfirmed information. Verified updates will be released by the Kerr County Emergency Operations Center and the Texas Division of Emergency Management.

In the meantime, the names and faces of the missing remain in the hearts and minds of a watching nation. Their stories—who they are, what they love, how they laugh—are being shared not just in hopes of being found, but as reminders that behind every headline, there are families waiting, grieving, hoping.

This is not just a weather story. It is a human story. And it is still unfolding.

Anyone with relevant information, video footage, or who may have seen anything unusual in the area around Camp Mystic between Monday evening and early Tuesday morning is urged to contact the Kerr County Sheriff’s Tip Line at 1-800-577-TIPS.

For the families waiting at Ingram High, every call matters. Every photo shared brings a glimmer of hope. And every hour counts.