Texas Flash Flood Hits Camp Mystic

Written by: Keya Gambhir

A sudden and powerful flash flood turned a joyful summer night at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, into a heartbreaking tragedy. The flood hit early on July 4, while over 750 campers were asleep in their cabins, excited for a day of fireworks and fun.

Instead, the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes, sending rushing water through the camp in the middle of the night. Campers woke to thunder, lightning, and water pouring into their cabins from both the river and a nearby creek. Some counselors had to smash windows to rescue the girls, while others helped campers climb onto roofs and trees.

As of July 7, officials say at least 79 people have died across Central Texas, including 28 children, and 11 girls from Camp Mystic are still missing. Dozens more were injured or rescued from dangerous situations. Families across the state are in mourning, while emergency crews continue to search for survivors.

“It Didn’t Look Like Camp Mystic Anymore”

Stella Thompson, 13, was staying on the Cypress Lake side of the camp, which sits on higher ground. She didn’t know what was happening until the next morning when helicopters flew overhead and military trucks arrived.

“At first, I felt kind of numb,” Stella said. “It didn’t feel real. But then we found out people were missing, and we were all kind of hysterical.”

She and her cabin mates spent the day waiting inside while counselors brought food. Eventually, they were told that girls from the other side of the camp were being airlifted out, and only then did they start to realize how bad things were. When Stella was finally evacuated, she saw trees knocked over, clothes and suitcases stuck in branches, and rescuers searching the muddy riverbanks.

“It didn’t look like Camp Mystic anymore,” she said.

A Beloved Director and a Brave Final Act

One of the victims was Richard “Dick” Eastland, the longtime camp director who had helped run Camp Mystic since 1974. He was known for teaching campers to fish, lead with kindness, and “ring the bell” with love, a phrase now being shared by heartbroken families online.

Eastland died while trying to rescue younger campers from a cabin called Bubble Inn. He was found in an SUV with three girls he had tried to save. All of them were rushed to the hospital, but Eastland didn’t survive.

“He was like a dad to everyone,” said a former camper.

A Tale of Two Camps

Nearby, another summer camp, Presbyterian Mo-Ranch Assembly, acted just in time. Facilities manager Aroldo Barrera noticed the rising river around 1 a.m. and quickly told his boss. Even though local officials hadn’t sent flood warnings yet, the camp decided to move 70 kids and adults to higher ground.

“We had no warning this was coming,” said Mo-Ranch spokesperson Lisa Winters. “But our team saw it coming and did something about it.”

Thanks to their quick thinking, everyone at Mo-Ranch survived. The camp is now closed, and staff are focused on helping other camps in need.

Did the Warning Come Too Late?

The National Weather Service did send alerts overnight, but many families say they never received them. Local leaders are now facing tough questions about how much warning was given and how quickly camps were notified.

Officials say they’re focusing on search and rescue for now and will look into what happened afterward.

In total, more than 850 people have been rescued so far. Helicopters, boats, and volunteers have been searching the river and nearby woods. One girl survived by floating on a mattress for hours.

Hope, Prayer, and Moving Forward

Churches in the Kerrville area held emotional services over the weekend. At First Presbyterian Church, Rev. Jasiel Garcia told children: “It’s okay to be scared. It’s okay to be angry. It’s okay to be terribly sad.”

Another camp leader, Jane Ragsdale, who co-owned nearby Heart O’ the Hills camp, also died in the flood. She had worked with campers since the 1970s and was described as the “heart and soul” of her camp.

Families are now sharing resources and offering help. Organizations like the Red Cross and the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country are raising money for food, shelter, and supplies.

As Stella’s mom, Casey Thompson, put it: “We’re just grateful to be some of the fortunate ones... but we know that’s not everybody’s story.”

Camp Mystic has not said when or if it will reopen. For now, the focus is on finding the missing, honoring the lost, and helping families recover from one of the worst floods in Texas history.