A candlelight memorial was held in San Antonio on Monday night to remember the victims of the tragic flash floods that hit Kerrville and other portions of central Texas on 4 July, killing at least a 100 people, including children.
Search teams continue to make their way through muddy riverbanks in the hope of finding those who are still missing.
Dozens of locals, city officials, and community members raised candles in prayer and silence under the stars.
At the event, San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones said the tragedy is hard to comprehend.
“I can’t fathom the sorrow that many are feeling just an hour north of us, as they were, in the night’s darkness, enduring this rare weather occurrence that, sadly, claimed too many lives. And sadly, a few of the most at-risk.
While participants carried candles and signs that said 'Kerrville Strong,' Mayor Ortiz Jones promised ongoing assistance to the impacted communities.
"The task will proceed," she said. “It’s going to be quite a lengthy journey. As I mentioned to the Kerrville mayor, we will support them throughout the entire process. That's exactly what we should focus on during this period."
District One Mayor Sukh Kaur also addressed the vigil, and provided messages of solace and strength.
“Today we stand strong for those who are still reconstructing. We inhale for those who can no longer inhale. And we care for those who continue to mourn."
Among the many residents who came to pay their respects was Peter Peeroruac a 53-year-old, who described the past few days as overwhelming, and said everyone is united in their grief.
“It’s a lot of human suffering,” he said. “I saw a lot of devastation, chaos. Just needed some answers, and coming together with other people to share the same thoughts… this candlelight vigil may not be a lot, but it is something that we can all come together and share as a human emotion.”
It was a predawn storm that caused the catastrophic floods, transforming the usual peaceful Guadalupe River into an erupting flood that tore through towns and rural regions. The majority of the deaths happened in Kerrville, where a Christian girls' summer camp called Camp Mystic suffered enormous losses.
By Monday afternoon, officials said that 84 bodies had been retrieved in Kerr County, comprising of 56 adults and 28 children. Ten campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic were still missing, and at least 41 individuals were unaccounted for in adjacent counties.
San Antonio resident and an educator, Danielle Lopez said the death of so many children was heart breaking.
“Me as an educator and my sister as a mom, we have a very deep, soft space in our heart for children,” she said. “I’ve seen generations of my students grow. And I just wish that our children had the opportunity to grow, too. That’s what we’re here for—we protect all children just as we protect our own.”
Edwin Stephens lives locally and said the tragic event is incomprehensible. “I can’t fully understand what some parents are experiencing. It's simply very sad.
Despite the ongoing grief, officials remain focused on the search and rescue mission, though forecasts of further rain threaten to complicate efforts.
In the face of loss, the candlelight vigil in San Antonio offered a moment of unity and support for the families and communities left reeling in the wake of disaster.
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