Georgia Republican says grandchildren are safe after being at Texas summer camp that flooded
Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) on Sunday said his granddaughters were "safe" after attending a summer camp in Texas that flooded, but that their cousin had died.
"As you may have heard, my granddaughters were at the summer camp in Texas that flooded. They are safe, and I thank you for your well-wishes and prayers during this time," he said in a Sunday morning post on X. "Unfortunately, not everyone was as lucky. My granddaughters lost their cousin, Janie, and many other families are grieving loved ones."
The death toll from flash floods that rampaged through Central Texas rose to nearly 70 on Sunday after searchers found more bodies in the hardest-hit Kerr County, according to the Associated Press.
Carter didn't name the summer camp his granddaughters had attended, but among the victims are girls from Camp Mystic, a riverside Christian camp in Hunt, Texas. Eleven campers and a camp counselor are still missing, according to Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha.
Most of the deaths were reported in Kerr County -- 38 adults and 21 children -- with others reported in Travis, Burnet and Kendall counties.
The floodwaters reached catastrophic levels overnight, making it difficult for Camp Mystic staff to move hundreds of girls to safer ground in the dark, according to the Texas Tribune.
The camp has been the go-to summer camp for the daughters of Texans, also known as "Mystic girls," for nearly a century, especially among the state's political elite, according to the Tribune.
Among those who have attended include the daughters of former Texas governors Price Daniel, Dan Moody and John Connally, according to Texas Monthly.
Former President Lyndon B. Johnson's daughters, granddaughters and great-granddaughters also attended. Former First Lady Laura Bush was once a camp counselor.
On Saturday, Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) also confirmed that he was reunited with his daughters, who were attending the Christian camp.
"Camille, Vivian and I are now reunited with Caroline and Juliana who were evacuated from Camp Mystic," Pfluger posted on X. "The last day has brought unimaginable grief to many families and we mourn with them as well as holding out hope for survivors."
Rep. Chip Roy (R), who represents the state's 21st Congressional District, which includes the San Antonio region most affected by the storms, shared posts from others asking for prayers.
On Sunday, he replied to Carter's post, saying, "Buddy, Janie was beloved by many - including many of my friends in Texas who were looking for her. God bless her and your family."
In his post, Carter also asked for prayers.
"Please join me in prayers for Texas," he said. "We must ensure that they have the resources they need to find those still missing and save lives."