Catastrophic Texas Floods Sweep Through Camp Mystic
Chaos erupted in Texas Hill Country when relentless storms pounded the region with nearly a foot of rain overnight, sparking a flood that turned the Guadalupe River into a deadly torrent. The river swelled by a staggering 30 feet in under an hour, overwhelming anything in its path, including Camp Mystic—a summer retreat for girls that had stood for almost a century.
The flood swallowed the camp in Hunt, Texas, late at night, giving little warning to the staff and over a hundred campers. Survivor Elinor Lester, 13, described the frantic scene as alarms blared and camp counselors hustled groups out of their cabins. Wading knee-deep through swirling water, some girls clung to trees or climbed onto rooftops, while choppers scoured the floodplain. Many rescues turned dramatic, with helicopters hoisting campers to safety, while others had to wait out the worst, stranded for hours as currents ripped through the site.
Camp Mystic, with its riverside cabins and long history of summer rituals, was unrecognizable after the storm—cabins smashed, trees uprooted, and belongings swept miles downstream. For nearly a century, the camp fostered a close-knit community, promising a safe space for girls aged 7-17 to grow in a wholesome Christian atmosphere. All that was left were pieces of wood and the relentless worry of families, now searching for answers.
Rescue Operations, Searing Uncertainty, and Family Agony
Emergency services scrambled through the night and into the next day, trying to keep up with the chaos. In Kerr County alone, 167 people were pulled to safety by helicopter, while countless ground crews braved swift water and thick mud to check every pocket of land where campers could have climbed to safety. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick described the search for the more than 20 missing girls as a 'massive' effort, holding out hope that some might be marooned in trees, or hunkered down somewhere, cut off from communication.
The camp’s remote location complicated rescue and search efforts. Cell and radio signals were spotty at best, making it tough for worried parents to get news. Some families stayed glued to social media, sharing descriptions and last known locations in posts that spread quickly across the country. Official updates trickled in, with camp and county officials assuring parents that they would receive immediate notice if their child had not been accounted for. Several parents confirmed that authorities called directly with news—good or bad—leaving others anxiously waiting for any word.
- The 24 fatalities, confirmed by local officials, included not just campers, but also residents caught unaware across the Hill Country region.
- More than 300 total rescues have been carried out statewide since the storms began.
- Flood warnings remain in effect, as some rivers still run higher than normal, threatening more displacement.
Camp Mystic’s own story is just one part of the disaster. Across central Texas, communities are piecing together what’s left—families posting photos of lost relatives, volunteers handing out water and blankets, rescuers searching muddy islands for signs of life. For the people wrapped up in this tragedy—especially the ones waiting for news about their children—every hour that passes feels endless.
