Two 8-year-old girls are the first from Austin to be publicly identified as victims of the raging flood waters that swept through Camp Mystic, their families and close friends confirm.
Linnie McCown was a student at Casis Elementary in West Austin, her father, Michael, told the American-Statesman on Sunday.
In an emotional social media post, he wrote: “She filled our hearts with so much joy we cannot begin to explain. We are going to miss her so very much but know she’s up there shining bright.”
Mary Stevens, who attended Highland Park Elementary School in north-central Austin, also was among the victims, a family spokesman said.
The spokesman shared a social media post written by her mother, Stacy, saying “you have left the most positive impact on everyone who knew you. I’m the luckiest that I got to be your mom and I will never stop loving you and trying to live life as you did. Fearless. Enthusiastic. Compassionate. And full of joy.”
“Our world is shattered but I have peace getting your letters and knowing you were having the time of your life at camp and had a dance party with all of your friends before the Lord decided to take you from us. He has bigger plans for you,” Stacy Stevens wrote.
More: Camp Mystic director Dick Eastland dies while trying to save girls from Texas floods
Casis Elementary school is hosting a prayer vigil Sunday night for community families who have been affected by the Kerrville floods, according to a social media post from the school.
Austin school district Superintendent Matias Segura said Saturday night he was “heartbroken” that some district families had been impacted by the Kerr County flooding.
“We know that some of our families and staff may be facing loss or uncertainty and we are coordinating with our crisis and counseling team to provide support and any needed services to our families and staff in the days ahead,” Segura said.
At least 59 people, 21 of whom are children, have died in the Kerr County flooding along the Guadalupe River. The floodwaters devastated an area home to numerous children’s summer camps, including Camp Mystic, a private Christian camp for girls.
Search crews have been looking for missing people since early Friday morning, when heavy rains filled river banks.
Segura urged families to seek help from their principal so the district can provide assistance.
