News Summary
An 8-year-old girl from Mountain Brook, Alabama, tragically lost her life during a flood at Camp Mystic amidst a severe storm. Sarah Marsh was one of many victims, as flooding has resulted in over 80 deaths, including numerous children. Local leaders and residents express profound sorrow, with search efforts ongoing to locate missing individuals. The community unites in grief and support as they mourn the loss and seek closure for the affected families.
Hunt, Texas — An 8-year-old girl from Mountain Brook, Alabama, was tragically killed in a flood at Camp Mystic during a severe storm on July 4. Sarah Marsh was among the approximately two dozen girls who perished in the flooding, which has claimed at least 82 lives overall, including 28 children.
Sarah was a student at Cherokee Bend Elementary School, as confirmed by Mountain Brook Mayor Stewart Welch. He described her death as an “unimaginable loss” that impacts not only her family but also her school and the wider community. The city’s mayor, alongside various community members, expressed deep sorrow, highlighting the widespread grief felt in Mountain Brook following the tragedy.
The floods were caused by relentless rain, which led to a dramatic rise in the waters of the Guadalupe River, subsequently enveloping the camp. The swift flooding resulted in extensive debris and destruction. Search and rescue efforts are actively ongoing, with rescue teams utilizing helicopters, drones, and boats to locate many victims still unaccounted for—including 10 girls from Camp Mystic.
Sarah Marsh’s father, Patrick Marsh, is an assistant professor at Samford University. Local residents are mourning her loss profoundly, and many neighbors have shared memories, including a recent interaction where Sarah asked to have a butterfly painted, a color she had chosen to represent her favorite—blue. In a heartfelt tribute, Sarah’s grandmother conveyed on social media that while they will always feel her absence, they will remember her fondly and cherish the time they had together.
In addition to local leaders, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey expressed condolences and offered prayers for Sarah’s family and others affected by the floods. Communities are rallying around the families of the victims, with residents in Mountain Brook showing their support through various gestures, notably displaying blue ribbons on mailboxes as a tribute to Sarah.
The tragic flooding incident at Camp Mystic highlights the ongoing challenges posed by severe weather conditions. As families cope with the loss of their loved ones, they have requested privacy while also conveying their gratitude for the support received from the community. Search efforts remain a priority for local authorities as officials continue their relentless mission to find the missing and provide closure to affected families.
This event serves as a somber reminder of the impact of natural disasters on communities, leaving irreparable changes in their wake. Many continue to hope for the safe recovery of all victims, with search efforts focused intently on finding the missing girls and recovering those lost to the waters of the Guadalupe River.
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Additional Resources
- WAKA News
- Wikipedia: Texas Floods
- New York Times
- Google Search: Texas flood 2025
- AL.com
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas Flood
- ABC 33/40
- Google News: Mountain Brook girl Texas flood
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
