Tragedy in Texas: Families Mourn as Flash Floods Devastate Historic Camp Mystic and Surrounding Communities

As the sun rose over the hills of Central Texas on Sunday, heartbroken families stepped through the remnants of what had once been cherished summer memories. Camp Mystic—an all-girls summer retreat nestled along the Guadalupe River—had been ravaged by a torrent of fast-moving water, leaving behind destruction, sorrow, and uncertainty. At least 82 lives were lost in what has become one of the deadliest natural disasters in the state’s recent history.

For families who arrived that morning, the landscape was unrecognizable. Buildings were gutted, mattresses soaked, and personal belongings scattered. One child clutched a bell salvaged from a cabin. Another family drove away in tears, a blue footlocker resting in their vehicle, bearing the weight of memory and loss.

Governor Greg Abbott confirmed that more than 40 individuals remain missing across Texas. In Kerr County alone, where Camp Mystic is located, 68 victims have been recovered—28 of them children. Sheriff Larry Leitha promised relentless search efforts, stating, “We will not stop until every missing person is found.”

Search and rescue teams—comprising helicopters, boats, drones, and volunteers—continue to navigate unstable terrain. More than 850 people were rescued within the first 36 hours. Still, the chances of finding more survivors diminish with each passing hour.

The flood struck swiftly before dawn on Friday. The Guadalupe River surged 26 feet in just 45 minutes, tearing homes from their foundations and overturning vehicles. The magnitude of the disaster caught many by surprise, despite prior warnings issued by the National Weather Service.

One man, whose daughter had been rescued from the camp’s highest cabin, walked the riverbank in silence, scanning trees and rocks. In another cabin, a mother and daughter wept openly after seeing the interior for the first time since the flood.

While families grieved, heavy equipment operators worked tirelessly, clearing debris from the river. Massive trunks and branches, once part of the lush Hill Country landscape, now lay like wreckage.

Camp Mystic was just one of several youth camps impacted by the catastrophe. Mo-Ranch Camp and Camps Rio Vista and Sierra Vista had issued warnings ahead of the storm, relocating campers to safer ground. However, even with caution, the rainfall proved too overwhelming. Officials admitted they had not anticipated the scale of the deluge, which dropped months’ worth of rain in a matter of hours.

Among those confirmed dead was an 8-year-old girl from Alabama attending Camp Mystic and the director of a nearby camp. Survivors spoke of clinging to trees, escaping flooded homes by climbing into attics, and crossing treacherous bridges guided by rescuers with ropes.

 

President Donald Trump signed a federal disaster declaration on Sunday for Kerr County, enabling FEMA support. “These families are enduring an unimaginable tragedy,” the President wrote, acknowledging the deep pain experienced by so many.

From Rome, Pope Leo XIV addressed the tragedy with a special message of condolence. “We pray for all those affected, especially the young lives lost in the floodwaters,” he said during his Sunday blessing.

The Guadalupe River Valley, often referred to as “flash flood alley,” has a long history of sudden flooding events. However, this disaster’s scope has ignited questions about emergency preparedness. Some local officials, including U.S. Representative Chip Roy, have acknowledged the likelihood of criticism and scrutiny in the coming weeks.

As the search continues, the community remains united in grief—and in resilience. Governor Abbott declared Sunday a statewide day of prayer, urging all Texans to honor the lives lost and the families left behind.

“This is a time to stand together,” he stated, “not just in sorrow, but in strength and compassion.”

For now, the hills of Central Texas echo not with the joyful sounds of camp songs, but with mourning, remembrance, and a solemn hope that every missing soul will be found.

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Source: Associated Press