What began as a joyful summer adventure turned into unimaginable heartbreak for the Lawrence family when 8-year-old twins Hanna and Rebecca lost their lives during catastrophic flash floods at Camp Mystic in Central Texas. Known for their infectious smiles and inseparable bond, the girls were attending the camp with their 14-year-old sister, Harper, who miraculously survived the tragedy. Their deaths were among the 79 lives lost during the devastating floods that struck over the July 4th weekend.

The girls were granddaughters of David Lawrence Jr., a well-known Miami education advocate and former Miami Herald publisher. In a public statement, he described the twins as a source of immense joy to their family, and said their memory would forever remain alive in the hearts of those who loved them. Their parents, John and Lacy Lawrence, expressed their devastation, with John noting that the girls had especially brightened their sister Harper’s life.

Camp Mystic, a Christian camp for girls located along the Guadalupe River, was among the hardest-hit areas. The river overflowed rapidly, sweeping through the camp and killing multiple campers and staff, including camp director Richard Eastland. As of the latest updates, several children and counselors remain missing, while officials continue search and rescue operations. President Trump signed a Major Disaster Declaration for the region, and multiple states have sent in emergency aid.

Amid grief and mourning, the Lawrence family and their community are clinging to precious memories of Hanna and Rebecca — from their joyful birth on St. Patrick’s Day to the special times spent with grandparents in Florida. Their legacy now lives in the lives they touched and in efforts to honor their memory. As families across Texas mourn, this tragedy highlights the human cost of increasingly destructive natural disasters and the urgency for greater preparedness and support.