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.