An 8-year-old from Alabama is among at least 27 people dead after floodwaters swept through a Christian girls camp July 4 in Texas.
Mountain Brook Mayor Stewart Welch confirmed the death of Sarah Marsh, a student at Cherokee Bend Elementary.
“This is an unimaginable loss for her family, her school, and our entire community,” Welch said in a statement posted to Facebook. “Sarah’s passing is a sorrow shared by all of us, and our hearts are with those who knew and loved her.
“As we grieve alongside the Marsh family, we also remember the many others affected by this tragedy. In the days ahead, I know Mountain Brook will do what it always does which is come together with passion, strength, and unwavering support for the Marsh family.”
When the flash flood struck early on Friday, Camp Mystic was less than a week into its second four-week term with more than 700 children in residence, according to details provided Friday by Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. At least 18 adults and nine children had been confirmed dead after flooding rains rapidly overwhelmed the Guadalupe River. Ongoing search and rescue efforts ran through the night Friday and into Saturday.
More: At least 27 dead in Texas flooding; over two dozen campers missing from Camp Mystic
A view inside of a cabin at Camp Mystic.
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt said in a statement posted to X that she was heartbroken over Sarah’s death.
“We continue to pray for the victims’ loved ones, the survivors, those who are still missing, and our brave first responders as search and rescue efforts continue in Texas,” Britt said.
Camp Mystic for Girls is a Christian retreat about six miles south of Hunt, Texas, in Kerr County. That’s within Texas Hill Country, about 80 miles northwest of San Antonio.
The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet during the flash flood, weather service data shows.
USA TODAY reporters Jeanine Santucci, Joel Shannon and Eduardo Cuevas contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Texas flood: Alabama 8-year-old dies as floodwaters hit Camp Mystic