His optimism was fading. He paused along a Texas 39 grape orchard as friends searched across the highway in a massive field spanning half a mile. Trees once blocked the roadside view. Now, the still-swollen river, a mess of uprooted trees and scattering of volunteer searchers were visible from the road.

A desperate search is ongoing in Hunt, Texas, for missing campers and a counselor from Camp Mystic after severe flash floods, which also claimed the life of Camp Mystic Director Dick Eastland as he attempted to save children.

Chloe Childress, a counselor at Camp Mystic, died during the flooding in Hunt, Texas, according to a representative of her high school.

(Reuters) -Founded by a University of Texas football coach, Camp Mystic where raging floodwaters swept away dozens of girls - killing several and leaving many others missing - was established along the banks of the Guadalupe River in central Texas hill country nearly a century ago "to provide young girls with a wholesome Christian atmosphere.