Tivy soccer coach Reece Zunker, wife Paula and two children were reported missing by family members after catastrophic flooding swept through Kerr County on Friday.
Zunker reportedly grew up in New Braunfels before finding his passion for coaching during his junior year of college while volunteering with Uvalde High School’s football team.
After graduating, Zunker taught a semester at Dallas Lakeworth before landing a position at Tivy High School, where he has taught for the past 12 years.
Family members say that Zunker and his family were vacationing at a river house in Hunt, between Camp La Junta and Camp Mystic, where 23 children are still unaccounted for as well.
“The TFND community would like to extend an ‘all call’ to pray for all of those affected by the historic flooding today, and a special petition for the Zunker family, who have yet to be brought to safety,” said Tivy Football Coach Curtis Neill.
Camp director dead following devastating floods in Texas
KERRVILLE, Texas — The Kerrville Daily Times has confirmed that a camp director at Heart O’ the Hills Camp in Hunt died in Friday’s flash floods.
Jane Ragsdale was a camper and counselor at Heart O’ the Hills Camp in the 1970’s before becoming a co-owner of the camp in 1976. She served as program director before becoming the camp director in 1988.
The Heart O’ the Hills website describes Ragsdale as “the heart and soul” of camp as she had received the Pioneer Trailblazer Award from the Pioneer Alumni Association in 2022 and the Speedy Altman Award, a national lifetime achievement award from the Camp Owners and Directors Association.
Officials said 13 people have died and at least 20 others are unaccounted for due to the flash flooding in the Kerrville area.
‘Catastrophic Flooding’ in Texas Hill Country — 13 Dead and Over 20 Young Campers Missing
HILL COUNTRY, TEXAS — July 4, 2025 — What began as a peaceful Fourth of July retreat turned into a nightmare when the Guadalupe River swelled to record-breaking levels overnight, unleashing flash flooding that has so far claimed at least 13 lives, swept away cabins, and left over 20 teenage girls unaccounted for at Camp Mystic—a Christian all-girls summer camp near Kerrville .
A Sudden Storm with Devastating Speed
In just a few hours, relentless rain—6 to 10 inches in places—poured into the Hill Country, surging the Guadalupe to its second-highest level ever recorded. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly conceded, “We didn’t know this flood was coming…none whatsoever,” highlighting how rapidly idyllic conditions shifted into deadly peril
Camp Mystic: Tradition Meets Tragedy
Camp Mystic, established in 1926 and nearing its centennial, was hosting around 750 campers when the flood struck. Camp directors immediately signaled for help as floodwaters burst through cabins and washed out access roads. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick reported approximately 23 girls missing, though officials believe that some may be stranded rather than lost
Mass Rescue Underway — In the Midst of Chaos
The scale of emergency response is staggering. Texas authorities have deployed around 500 personnel, alongside 14 helicopters, 12 drones, and specialized rescue teams scouring the area. Helicopters have already airlifted dozens of stranded campers and residents to safety, with reunification centers established at local schools and community shelters
Heartbreaking Survival Stories and Community Devastation
Over the dawn, tales emerged of families clinging to trees, fleeing flooded homes, and narrowly escaping disaster. One mother described floating atop rubble with her teenage son—“the only thing that saved me was holding onto him”—as they waited to be rescued. Nearby businesses—including newly opened shops and seasonal ice‑cream stands—were ruined, their Fourth of July dreams upended .
A Grim Echo of History
The flood eerily echoes the deadly 1987 flash flood in the same region, which claimed ten teenage lives from a church camp near Comfort, Texas
Officials Warn: Danger Remains
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has mobilized the National Guard and state emergency departments to aid search, rescue, and relief efforts, urging locals to stay off roads and move to high ground . With rainfall expected to continue, the crisis is far from over—officials fear the death toll may rise further.
What Happens Next?
| Area of Focus | Key Questions Ahead |
|---|---|
| Search & Rescue | How many more campers or residents remain missing? When will families be reunited? |
| Camp Mystic’s Future | Will the historic camp bounce back post-tragedy? What emergency protocols must change? |
| Community Recovery | How will local families and businesses pick up their lives—and how can the public help? |
