In September of this year, a catastrophic flood inundated Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp located along the banks of the Guadalupe River in Texas. Sadly, two nine-year-old campers died in the tragedy. Severe thunderstorms dropped as much as 300 millimetres of rain. Due to this, the Guadalupe River jumped over major flood stage in less than two hours. At the time of the flood, there were about 700 young girls residing at the camp. The Texas Nature Camp is located 100 kilometers northwest of San Antonio and 130 kilometers west of Austin.
The speed and height of the river’s rise took officials by surprise, making it impossible to give preemptive evacuation notices. As of this writing, 27 of the young campers from Camp Mystic are still missing, leading to a massive search and rescue effort, with as many as 500 personnel deployed.
Camp Mystic’s Destruction
The flooding utterly devastated Camp Mystic, leaving the storied camp’s grounds a mud-tinged tableau of chaos and heartbreak. Witnesses said that when the waters subsided, the camp was hardly recognizable, with destruction and debris littering the surroundings.
Campers like 13-year-old Elinor Lester described their disbelief at the view standing before them.
“The camp was completely destroyed.” – Elinor Lester
Read their heartfelt testimony to the plight of authorities as they deal with the sudden emergence of the missing campers. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha promised their dedication to finding each individual impacted by this tragedy.
“We will not stop until every single person is found.” – Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha
The camp’s location along the Guadalupe River has long made it a popular destination for youth camps and campgrounds. The recent natural disaster has raised questions about safety in such areas during extreme weather events.
Ongoing Rescue Operations
In the wake of this disaster, emergency officials are monitoring Camp Mystic and its neighboring camps intently. As we write, the flood watch remains in effect for much of the region. This leaves the door open for dangerous conditions to continue threatening public safety. Rescue teams continue to search through seaboard debris and water covered mudflats and flooded neighborhoods. They are committed to identifying the missing and finding the survivors.
On April 30, 2020, after almost two months of lockdown, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick provided a new take on things. He noted that it was difficult for responders to determine how many campers were in permanent units at the time of flooding, etc.
“We don’t know how many people were in tents on the side, in small trailers by the side, in rented homes by the side, because it was going to be the Fourth of July holiday.” – Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick
This uncertainty makes rescue efforts more challenging than ever, but it highlights the importance of finding those still unaccounted for as quickly as possible.
Government Response and Support
In response to the tragic events at Camp Mystic, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his condolences and support for those affected by the floods. He assured the public that the federal government is working in coordination with state and local officials to address the situation effectively.
“Melania and I are praying for all of the families impacted by this horrible tragedy. Our Brave First Responders are on site doing what they do best.” – U.S. President Donald Trump
The government’s involvement aims to provide resources and assistance to those impacted by this disaster while ensuring that rescue operations continue smoothly.
