This Week’s Digest: Grief in the Wake of the Texas FloodsThis week, we reflect on the devastation left behind by the Texas floods. The waters have receded, but the heartbreak remains — found in final texts, acts of bravery, and a haunting photo taken just days before lives were lost.
What Happened?On July 5, record flash floods swept through Central Texas, claiming at least 111 lives and leaving 172 still missing. Kerr County suffered the greatest loss, with 87 deaths, many from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls. Search efforts continue as emergency teams navigate the debris-strewn banks of the Guadalupe River.The Final Text from Brooke HarberAmong the victims were sisters Blair (13) and Brooke Harber (11), swept away while staying in a riverfront home with their grandparents, who are still missing. At 3:30 a.m., Brooke sent a final text: “I love you.” Their bodies were found 15 miles downstream, still holding hands. A GoFundMe for the family has surpassed $300,000.
A Camp Director’s Last Act of CourageRichard “Dick” Eastland, 74, co-owner of Camp Mystic, died trying to evacuate the youngest campers from a riverside cabin. Found with three girls in a submerged SUV, his final act reflected a legacy of selflessness. Camp Mystic, founded in 1939, was hosting 700 girls at the time of the disaster; many are still unaccounted for.The Missing Wilson FamilyJeff, Amber, and 12-year-old Shiloh Wilson disappeared while camping for a youth rodeo. Jeff’s body was found; Amber and Shiloh remain missing. Their truck was located in the floodwaters, the camper torn off. Jeff, a beloved teacher in the Humble ISD, was honored at a community vigil.
Joyce Badon’s Final CallJoyce Badon, 21, was one of four friends swept away in Hunt, Texas. She was last heard saying, “They just got washed away,” during a phone call as floodwaters overtook their cabin. Her body has since been found; the others remain missing. Her family remembers her as radiant, spiritual, and deeply loved.A Final PhotoA now-viral image shows 13 Camp Mystic girls and two counselors smiling on a tennis court — taken days before the flood took their lives. Among the missing are Molly DeWitt, Abby Pohl, Ellen Gorten, and counselor Katherine Ferruzzo. Beneath the image, a mud-caked cabin shows the stark contrast between joy and tragedy.From final messages and heroic sacrifices to photos frozen in time, the Texas flood has left behind a collective grief — and a reminder of how quickly lives can change.