Texas Declares Disaster After Deadly Floods
Catastrophic flooding across 15 Texas counties has killed at least 82 people, including 28 children. Among the victims was Richard “Dick” Eastland, 74, a beloved leader at Camp Mystic in Kerr County.
He died on July 4 while trying to rescue campers from flash floods that hit the camp, which had over 700 children present.
Eastland was found in an SUV with three girls he’d tried to evacuate. He “succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital.”
Known as a mentor and “father figure,” Eastland had co-owned the camp with his wife, Tweety, since 1974. His final act was remembered as “a natural extension of a life devoted to nurturing faith, courage, and character.”
Governor Greg Abbott declared disaster zones statewide, deploying over 1,000 responders. He urged Texans “to unite in prayer and resolve” as recovery efforts continue. Twenty-seven children remain missing as the state begins to grieve and rebuild.
