KERR COUNTY, Texas — Jane Ragsdale, the beloved director of Camp Heart O’ the Hills in Kerr County, is dead after the region was hit by catastrophic flooding on Friday, the camp confirmed in a social media post.

“We have received word that Jane Ragsdale did not make it,” the camp’s post said. “We are mourning the loss of a woman who influenced countless lives and was the definition of strong and powerful.”

The camp said it was not in session when the flooding happened.

“Most of those who were on camp at the time have been accounted for and are on high ground,” they said.

On Saturday, Kerr County officials confirmed that the floods killed at least 27 people. Nine of those people were children.

Early Friday morning, between the hours of 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., the Guadalupe River rose more than 26 feet from an intense and slow-moving storm in the Hill Country. The rapid rise of a wall of water hit dozens of summer camps, campgrounds, RV parks, and homes along the Guadalupe River. Officials said more than 850 people were rescued from the flooding, with many grabbing on to trees and waiting hours for rescue. 

“We will not stop until every single person is found,” Kerr County Sheriff Larry L. Leitha said. “It’s going to take a while.”

“People need to know today will be a hard day,” Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. said during the news conference. “Please pray for our community.”

The mayor says if you want to help the easiest way is to follow the City of Kerrville’s Facebook page.