The tragic flash flooding that struck Camp Mystic in Texas has led to the heartbreaking deaths of at least five young girls, all between the ages of 8 and 9, with 12 additional campers still unaccounted for. These girls were vulnerable, asleep just yards from the rising waters of the Guadalupe River when disaster struck around 4 a.m. on July 4, sending water levels skyrocketing 20 feet in just 90 minutes. This is not merely a natural catastrophe but a grim reminder of the need for robust safety measures in our schools and camps.
The owner of the venerable Camp Mystic, a prominent fixture in Texas’s history, has also been confirmed dead. This camp has long been a cherished haven for families, including former First Lady Laura Bush. The site’s cabins, situated alarmingly close to the river, have now become the scene of unimaginable grief.
The facility, known for its picturesque setting, boasted cabins for younger girls on low-lying “flats,” shockingly only a football field away from the riverbank. It was reported that the cabins housing the youngest campers were the hardest hit, leaving parents and families reeling in despair.
While many campers were safely located on higher ground—some up to 600 feet from the water—those who remained in the lower cabins faced dire consequences. The National Weather Service had warned of severe flooding, yet tragically, vital precautions were not fully enacted.
Survivor Elinor Lester, a 13-year-old camper, described the devastation: “The camp was completely destroyed. It was really scary.” With about 750 girls in attendance, the chaos that ensued was heart-wrenching. The unfolding crisis is compounded by the reality that over 40 people have lost their lives across Kerr County, including 15 children, with the total death toll expected to surpass even these grim numbers.
Questions now arise regarding the camp’s preparedness. Serena Hanor Aldrich, a mother of two campers, stated boldly, “They should have been on top of it.” With severe weather warnings posted the previous day, it is inexcusable that staff did not take the necessary action to protect these children.
The devastating images emerging from Camp Mystic show an urgent need for accountability and reform in how we care for our youth. Our children deserve safe havens, and it is imperative that camp leadership and authorities take a hard look at their crisis management protocols. We must ensure this tragedy becomes a catalyst for change, so no family has to endure such heartache again.
