First the rain, then the flood: How Camp Mystic campers woke to devastation on July 4
The thunder and lightning that arrived at Camp Mystic first were nothing out of the ordinary. However, what followed was far from normal.
In the early hours of July 4, a storm with driving rain hit the Texas camp, waking up campers like Georgia and Eloise Jones. Initially, they brushed it off as just another rainy day in the Texas Hill Country. “I mean, it rains a lot there, so we thought it was just normal,” Georgia explained.
But as the night progressed, it became evident that something was amiss. Campers from another cabin sought refuge with Georgia and Eloise, revealing that their own cabin had been flooded. This alarming news prompted the sisters to step outside their cabin at around 7 a.m., only to witness the devastating aftermath of the flood.
The floodwaters had wreaked havoc, resulting in the loss of at least 27 lives at Camp Mystic. Georgia and Eloise realized that it was no longer safe to stay at the camp. The destruction was too severe to ignore, and they knew they had to seek safety elsewhere.
Days before the floods, the Texas Department of State Health Services had approved Camp Mystic’s emergency plans. However, the specifics of these plans were not disclosed in the records. At the time of the inspection, the camp housed 557 campers and 108 staff members across its Guadalupe and Cypress Lake locations.
In the wake of this tragic event, families and authorities were left grappling with the aftermath of the severe flash flooding that occurred over the July Fourth holiday weekend. The resilience of the camp community was put to the test as they worked to recover and rebuild in the face of such devastation.
As we reflect on this harrowing experience, let us remember the lives lost and the strength of those who survived. May this tragedy serve as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and emergency planning in the face of natural disasters. ABC News’ Laura Romero’s contribution to this report sheds light on the human stories behind the headlines, highlighting the resilience and courage of those affected by this disaster.
