July 4 Flash Flood at Camp Mystic: A July Holiday Turned Nightmare
What began as a peaceful Independence Day celebration along the Guadalupe River transformed into a catastrophic tragedy.
Torrential storms unleashed a wall of water that surged 26 feet in just 45 minutes, at Camp Mystic—a historic Christian girls’ summer camp nestled in Kerr County, Texas—sending cabins and campers into chaos.
Rapid Descent Into Crisis
The flood struck at approximately 4 a.m. on July 4, catching campers and staff off guard
The Guadalupe River, already swollen by 5–10 inches of rain, suddenly climbed to its second-highest recorded level .
A nearby photographer captured the horrifying speed as kayaks ended up lodged in trees and cabins disappeared beneath rushing waters
💔 Toll of the Tragedy
At least 80 people have perished across Central Texas, with legendary growth to 90+ confirmed deaths
In Kerr County alone, 75+ fatalities occurred .
27 campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic are confirmed dead, including courageous director Richard “Dick” Eastland, who died during rescue attempts
An additional 11 girls and one counselor remain missing at the camp as of July 6
🧩 Among the Devastating Names
Lila Bonner (9) and Eloise Peck (8), best friends from North Texas, were tragically confirmed among those lost .
Their families described Eloise as “friends with everyone” and recounted how the pair remained together in the chaos
🚨 Rescue Underway — With a Dark Forecast
More than 850 people have been saved, including campers rescued by Coast Guard swimmers and helicopters
Yet with heavy rains forecast to continue, flash flood alerts remain in effect across Central Texas .
Officials emphasize that every hour matters in the search for survivors—some may be stranded in trees or otherwise out of communication
🤲 Texas United in Response
Governor Greg Abbott has mobilized state aid and declared a disaster across multiple counties .
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick urged Texans to pray and emphasized the clock is ticking for rescuers
Federal teams, including FEMA, the Coast Guard, and National Guard, have joined the effort .
Pope Leo XIV offered prayers and condolences to affected families
🕯️ What’s Next?
This is now one of the deadliest flash floods in recent Texas history, unearthing systemic gaps in early-warning systems and evacuation planning
. As storms threaten more rain, rescue teams continue to race the clock—hoping that every remaining missing girl and survivor can be found.
Conclusion: Strength in Mourning and Rescue
What began as a typical Fourth of July gathering turned into a race for survival. This disaster has rattled Central Texas—and the nation—shaking our sense of safety in places once considered sanctuaries. As grief and uncertainty grip families, heroes are emerging: the brave rescuers, the volunteer networks, those sheltering the displaced, and communities unified in prayer.
As families cling to hope and others prepare for painful losses, Texas stands at a crossroads—faced with both the horrors of nature and the power of human resilience.