Faces of a Tragedy: Heartbreaking Stories Emerge from Texas Flood Disaster

As the death toll from the catastrophic flooding in Texas climbs past 80, harrowing accounts are surfacing of families torn apart, childhoods lost, and acts of unimaginable bravery in the face of disaster. Among the victims: young campers swept away in their sleep, beloved grandparents, and a father who sacrificed his life to save his family.

A Father’s Final Act of Heroism

Julian Ryan, 27, died a hero.

In the early hours of Friday morning, floodwaters surged into his family’s trailer home in Ingram, Texas. As the Guadalupe River rapidly rose by more than 20 feet, Ryan sprang into action. With water up to his chest, he placed his two children — a 13-month-old and a 6-year-old — on floating mattresses to keep them above the deluge.

When the bedroom door jammed shut under pressure, Ryan smashed a window to help his fiancée, their kids, and his mother escape. The glass severed an artery in his arm.

“There were multiple calls to 911,” said Christinia Wilson, Ryan’s fiancée. “But they didn’t answer. He looked at us and said, ‘I’m sorry, I’m not going to make it. I love y’all.’”

His mother held him as he died, his sister Connie Salas told CNN. “He went out a hero,” she said. “Our last words were, ‘I’m scared.’ And he said, ‘Me too.’”

Flood Ravages Kerr County Campsites

In the darkness, the flood hit Camp Mystic — a Christian all-girls camp — with devastating force. Photos show torn-apart cabins, scattered mattresses, and entire walls ripped away by the water.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott described the camp as “horrendously ravaged.”

Twenty-seven campers went missing as the river overtook the area. By the weekend, the deaths of four girls had been confirmed:

• Renee Smajstrla, 8, was recovered Friday.
• Janie Hunt, 9, was confirmed dead by her mother Saturday.
• Sarah Marsh and Lila Bonner were also confirmed deceased by their families.

“We ache with all who loved her,” the Bonner family said in a statement. Alabama Sen. Katie Britt posted on Facebook that she was “heartbroken” over Sarah Marsh’s loss.

Sisters Lost, Grandparents Still Missing

Sisters Blair, 13, and Brooke Harber, 11, were among those killed in the floods. Their father confirmed their deaths Saturday.

“Blair was a gifted student and had a generous kind heart,” he said. “Brooke was like a light in any room… she made people laugh.”

Their grandparents, Charlene and Mike Harber, remain missing and are presumed dead.

Beloved Camp Director Swept Away

Jane Ragsdale, longtime co-owner and director of Heart O’ the Hills camp, was also killed. Her camp wasn’t in session, but she was on site when the floodwaters came.

Ragsdale was known as the “heart and soul” of the girls’ camp and left a legacy of mentorship and music. A recent video showed her singing “Let There Always Be A Song” with campers. The lyrics now echo with new meaning: “When you sing you say, life is good today. So keep singing till we meet again.”

A Community Mourns a Coach and His Wife

Reece Zunker, head boys soccer coach at Tivy High School, and his wife Paula also died in the floods.

Zunker was remembered as “a mentor, teacher and role model” in a tribute from the school’s team. His niece confirmed his death on Saturday. The couple’s two children remain missing.

A Life of Service Cut Short

Dr. Katheryn Eads, a dedicated psychologist and college professor, was among the victims.

“She was an incredible wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, and person who spent her life helping kids,” her daughter Victoria Eads said in a statement. “Trying to figure out our lives without her is a possibility we never planned to face.”

As rescue operations continue across central Texas, the scale of the tragedy is still unfolding. Survivors and families now face the difficult task of grieving — and rebuilding — in the wake of one of the deadliest flood disasters in recent Texas history.