A girls' summer camp swept away by a 'horrific' deluge

July 7, 2025

A catastrophic flash flood devastated Camp Mystic, a Christian girls' summer camp on Texas' Guadalupe River, when water levels rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes early on July 4th. At least 27 campers and counselors are among the more than 80 people confirmed dead in the disaster that struck while hundreds of girls were sleeping in low-lying cabins near the riverbank. Survivors described harrowing scenes of destruction, including one heroic counselor who broke a window allowing girls to swim to safety through neck-high water.

Who is affected

Hundreds of girls attending Camp Mystic and their families
At least 27 campers and counselors from Camp Mystic who died
Jane Ragsdale, co-owner and director of Heart O' the Hills camp, who was among the dead
Camp staff and counselors at multiple riverfront camps
First responders and search teams conducting rescue operations
Local communities along the Guadalupe River
Families of missing persons still awaiting news
The operators of Camp Mystic who have run the camp for generations
Other youth camps in the area, including Heart O' the Hills

What action is being taken

Search and rescue teams are working round the clock, navigating by boat and combing through debris
Military trucks are evacuating survivors
Police are cordoning off the entrance to Camp Mystic
First responders are pulling girls from the water
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has vowed the mission will "stop at nothing" until every missing person is found

Why it matters

The flood resulted in at least 80 confirmed deaths, including 27 from Camp Mystic alone
The disaster raises serious questions about the safety of positioning youth camps near rivers
Camp Mystic has been a cherished institution where girls from across Texas and the wider US form lifelong friendships and develop spiritually
The tragedy disrupted a traditionally safe space for children's summer activities
The devastation affects multiple youth camps that serve as important community institutions
The sudden nature of the flooding (26 feet in 45 minutes) highlights the unpredictable dangers of climate events

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC