Texas flooding victims: From young campers to a dad saving his family, what we know about the lives lost

 

Young campers at Camp Mystic and a dad saving his family were among the dozens killed in the historic flash floods that tore through central Texas over the holiday weekend.

Here's what we know about the lives lost:

Chloe Childress, a counselor at Camp Mystic, was set to attend the University of Texas at Austin in the fall.

She "lived a beautiful life that saturated those around her with contagious joy, unending grace, and abiding faith," her family said in a statement. "Returning as a counselor to the place she loved so dearly, Chloe was looking forward to dedicating her summer days to loving and mentoring young girls at Camp Mystic."

Jonathan Eades, the head of The Kinkaid School, from which she graduated earlier this year, remembered Childress as someone who had a "remarkable way of making people feel seen" and "steady compassion that settled a room."

"Whether it was sharing her own challenges to ease someone's burden or quietly cheering a teammate or classmate through a tough day, Chloe made space for others to feel safe, valued, and brave. She understood what it meant to be part of a community, and more than that, she helped build one," Eades wrote in a letter to the school community.

Childress "lost her life upholding this selfless and fierce commitment to others," Eades said.

"A loyal and beloved friend to all who knew her, Chloe led with empathy. Her honesty gave others the courage to speak up. Her resilience helped others push through. Her joy, so present in all the little things, reminded all who knew her to keep showing up with heart," he said.