Texas deadly floods: Victims from the Houston area
Share this @internewscast.com

Early in the morning on July 4, a catastrophic flood in the Texas Hill Country caused unimaginable loss of life. These are some of the victims.

HOUSTON — Following the devastating flooding in the Texas Hill Country, the search for victims is ongoing, and more names are surfacing of those from the Houston area who have died.

The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office and Kerrville Police Department reported that at least 120 people have been confirmed dead, and over 170 remain missing as of Friday.

Many of the victims were from the Houston area. 

This list features names that family members have confirmed or were identified in public posts. KHOU 11 News will keep honoring the victims as more information is released.

Victims of the Texas Hill Country flood

Here are the individuals from the Houston area who have been confirmed as victims of the flood.

Kellyanne Lytal


Kellyanne Lytal was at Camp Mystic when the devastating flood moved through Friday morning, according to her father, Wade Lytal. He shared a sweet, yet heartbreaking video of Kellyanne singing a solo at her school Christmas pageant. 

Lytal, a former football player at Memorial High School, is currently the offensive coordinator at Trinity University in San Antonio. Several players from the team joined him in the search for Kellyanne.

On Friday, her family confirmed that she had been found and said they had set up a memorial foundation in her name.

“Kellyanne was a shining light in this world,” they said in a statement. “She was kind, fearless, silly, compassionate and a loving friend to everyone.”

Mary Kate Jacobe from Houston


Mary Kate Jacobe was eight years old. She was at Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ camp, when the area was hit by catastrophic flooding in the early-morning hours of July 4. 

“Our precious angel baby has entered the gates of Heaven. Mary Kate Jacobe was the light of our lives. She was tiny but mighty, full of love and joy, with a smile that melted your heart. Mary Kate, our Sissy, was the baby of our large family and was most certainly our angel on earth. We are utterly shattered and forever changed by the loss of our girl,” the Jacobe family said in a statement.

Chloe Childress from Houston


Chloe Childress was a Camp Mystic counselor. Her family released a statement: “Chloe Childress lived a beautiful life… Our family was shocked to hear of the horrific flooding in the Hill Country, and we were devastated to learn that our precious Chloe was among the victims… We desire to grieve privately during this time.”

Anna “Margaret” Bellows, from West University


John and Julia Burgess from Liberty County

John and Julia Burgess were in their RV with two young sons, Jack and James, at a campsite in Ingram when the Guadalupe River rapidly rose early Friday while most people were sleeping.

According to relatives, John was later found dead. They said Julia’s body was recovered on Monday, but their boys remained missing.

Their daughter was at nearby Camp Longhorn and wasn’t impacted by the flooding.

Rob and Melissa Kamin from Atascocita/Humble


Under a somber sky on Wednesday morning, coworkers and friends held a subdued ceremony and balloon release in memory of Melissa Kamin and her husband, Rob. The Atascocita couple died in the Texas Hill Country floods on July 4.

Claire “Reese” Manchaca, from Conroe


Reese Menchaca of Conroe was camping with Ella Cahill, Joyce Badon, and Aiden Heartfield of Beaumont. On Wednesday, July 9, Reese was returned home to Conroe with a police escort made up of deputies from five Montgomery County constable precincts.

She was a 2022 graduate of Caney Creek High School, where teachers remember her as a self-confident and fun young woman who lit up every room she walked into.


Mary Grace Baker


Mary Grace Baker was a third grader at St. Anne’s Catholic Church. 

Blakely McCrory from Houston


Blakely McCrory, 8, was a student at Memorial Lutheran and a camper at Camp Mystic. Floodwaters swept through the Guadalupe River area where she was attending camp. 

Molly Dewitt from Houston


Molly Dewitt was a camper at Camp Mystic. Her obituary describes a little girl with a deep unwavering faith, one that shaped how she moved through the world.

Lucy Dillon of Houston


Lucy Dillon was a rising third grader at Memorial Drive Elementary, according to her online obituary; a bright and enthusiastic student. She was able to make friends wherever she went. 

Megan and Jake Moeller 

Megan and Jake Moeller lost their lives in the flooding. Their daughter, Harley, remains missing. The family lived in Canyon Lake but they have ties to the Houston and Mont Belvieu areas.

Brad Perry from League City


Brad Perry was camping with his wife, Tina, when their RV was swept away. Tina was rescued from a tree and taken to an area hospital with a broken rib and punctured lung. Brad didn’t survive. 

Mollie S. Schaffer from Houston


According to a social media post by her husband, Randy Schaffer, they were at a law school reunion on the banks of the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas. They were both woken up by a hotel manager at 3 a.m. to evacuate because the river was going out of its banks. Randy Schaffer details in a public Facebook post how they tried to drive to safety, but they were swept away by the floodwater.

Renee Smajstrla from Houston


Camp Mystic camper Renee Smajstrla died in the floods. Renee’s uncle told KHOU 11 she will forever “be living her best life” at Camp Mystic. Her family said this photo was taken on July 3, the day before the catastrophic flooding hit the region.

Greta Toranzo from Houston


Greta Toranzo, 10, was a camper at Camp Mystic when the Guadalupe River quickly rose in the morning hours of July 4.

“It’s with unimaginable sadness we share that Greta’s family has confirmed she lost her life in the Kerr County floods,” read a post from the Sinclair Elementary Parent Teacher Organization. “As a community please continue to send your love and support to the entire Toranzo family. We do ask that you grant the Toranzo family privacy and room to grieve.”

Jeff, Amber and Shiloh Wilson from the Kingwood area


Jeff and Amber Wilson, along with their son, Shiloh, lost their lives in the flooding. Shiloh was found later, family members confirmed on Friday, July 11. According to a fundraising page set up by the family, Jeff, Amber, and Shiloh were in the Kerville area for a rodeo with Shiloh, who was described as a “young, spirited competitor.” Jeff Wilson was a teacher in the Humble ISD.

Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman said their deputies and Humble ISD police officers will escort Shiloh home from Kerrville to Kingwood on Saturday, July 12, where he will be reunited with his parents. 

Still missing in the Texas Hill Country flood

Here are the people from the Houston area who are still missing in the flood:

Jack and James Burgess from Liberty County


Jack and James Burgess are still missing in the flood. John and Julia Burgess, their parents, have been confirmed dead. 

Katherine Ferruzzo from Houston


Camp Mystic counselor Katherine Ferruzzo of Houston is among the missing. Her family released a statement, sharing that Katherine has a “fierce and loving spirit” and they know she worked to save other lives.

Virginia Hollis from the Houston area


Gary and DeeAnn Knetsch 


Gary and DeeAnn Knetsch were camping directly next to the Guadalupe River with their son, Jake Moeller, his wife, Megan and their five-year-old daughter, Harley.  Gary, DeeAnn, Jake and Megan all lost their lives. Harley is still among the missing. 

Both families lived in Canyon Lake but have ties to the Houston and Mont Belvieu areas.

Harley Moeller from Houston


Harley Moeller was with her parents when they were overcome by the flood. Her parents have been confirmed dead. Harley remains missing.  

Aiden Heartfield from Beaumont


Aiden Heartfield of Beaumont was with Reese Menchaca of Conroe and Joyce Badon and Ella Cahill of Beaumont. Reese, Joyce, and Mary lost their lives in the flooding. Aiden remains missing.  

On Wednesday, July 9, Reese was returned home to Conroe. Deputies from five Montgomery County constable precincts drove to Kerrville to escort her body. Other first responders, neighbors and friends lined the streets of Conroe as they passed by.  

Ellen Getten from Houston

Ellen is a missing Camp Mystic camper, according to her family. (No photo available)

How to help or share updates

If you have confirmed information about someone missing or deceased from the Houston area, please contact KHOU 11 or submit verified information from local officials or family sources. We are committed to reporting responsibly and with compassion.


Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
California voter ID initiative heads to November ballot

California’s Voter ID Proposal Set for Decision in November Election

A proposed measure aiming to strengthen voter identification and citizenship verification for…
Activists erupt as rescued ducks are sold off like cheap chicken

Activists Rally Against Sale of Rescued Ducks, Equating Treatment to Low-Grade Poultry

A mass surrender of ducks in Southern California has sparked controversy after…
Curses, Foiled Again: The FBI Thwarts a Potential Terror Plot Directed at a Texas Synagogue

FBI Successfully Intercepts Planned Terror Attack on Texas Synagogue

On Thursday, FBI Director Kash Patel revealed the collaborative efforts of the…
House considers bill to create 'buffer zones' outside houses of worship to ward off protest chaos

House Proposes Bill for ‘Buffer Zones’ to Safeguard Worship Spaces from Protest Disruptions

Congress is currently weighing a new legislative proposal that aims to establish…
Elon Musk and Sam Altman head to court with tough judge who took on Apple firing warning shot at billionaires

Elon Musk and Sam Altman Face Court Proceedings with Noted Judge Known for Challenging Apple, Signaling a Stark Message to Billionaires

In the heart of Silicon Valley, some of the tech world’s most…
Long Island cops unveil futuristic guns that could fire GPS darts during chases

Long Island Police Introduce High-Tech Guns Equipped with GPS Tracking Darts for Pursuit Operations

Sheriff’s deputies in Suffolk County are experimenting with innovative firearms designed to…
Lefty senate candidate Graham Platner argues that US should be 'far more cooperative' with China on climate change issues

Left-Wing Senate Hopeful Graham Platner Advocates for Enhanced US-China Climate Collaboration

Maine Democrat Graham Platner has pledged to enhance relations with China should…
Billionaire John Catsimatidis celebrates first weekend as minor-league baseball manager

Billionaire John Catsimatidis Takes on New Role as Minor-League Baseball Manager

In a bold move intertwining sports with business, billionaire John Catsimatidis is…
Grinning suspect cuffed after alleged fiery street takeover, drag race caught on camera

Grinning Suspect Arrested Following Fiery Street Takeover and Drag Race Caught on Camera

An alleged accomplice in a chaotic drag-racing event was led from his…
Trump Extends Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire 3 Weeks After Landmark White House Talks

Trump Prolongs Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Following Pivotal White House Discussions Three Weeks Ago

On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire between…
Teen killed in Mall of Louisiana mass shooting identified, 1 suspect arrested

Tragic Mall of Louisiana Shooting: Teen Victim Identified as Authorities Arrest Suspect

A 17-year-old girl tragically lost her life in a shooting at the…
Mexican Mafia turned American neighborhoods into ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ with murders, kidnappings, drugs: feds

Federal Authorities Report Mexican Mafia’s Role in Transforming U.S. Neighborhoods with Crime and Drugs

In a significant crackdown on organized crime, federal authorities announced Thursday the…