By Mark Ellis — 
The scenes are heartbreaking, the tragedy unimaginable. At such times, even the most ardent in faith are shaken by the loss of so many innocent lives.
Along the banks of the Guadalupe River, once a place of laughter and spiritual growth for generations of girls at Camp Mystic, there is now a scene of incredible grief after catastrophic flash floods tore through the Christian summer camp before dawn on the Fourth of July.
The late-night deluge, triggered by a torrential downpour that dumped nearly a foot of rain in hours, claimed the lives of at least 27 campers and counselors, with 10 girls and one counselor still missing as of Monday, according to Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha.
The tragedy, which has left 90 dead across Central Texas, has shaken the faith-filled community of Camp Mystic and drawn the nation’s prayers.
Camp Mystic, a nearly century-old institution nestled among cypress and live oak trees, has long been a cherished retreat for girls ages 7 to 17, offering activities like kayaking, archery, and Bible study in a nurturing Christian atmosphere.
Founded in 1926 by University of Texas coach Edward “Doc” Stewart, the camp has hosted daughters from humble backgrounds to those of former governors. This summer, approximately 750 girls filled its cabins, unaware of the danger lurking as the Guadalupe River swelled 26 feet in just 45 minutes.
The floodwaters struck with little warning, submerging low-lying cabins in the “Flats” where junior campers as young as seven-years-old slept, less than 500 feet from the riverbank. “Our hearts are broken alongside our families enduring this unimaginable tragedy,” Camp Mystic stated on its website. “We are praying for them constantly.”
Among the confirmed losses were eight-year-old Hadley Hannah from Dallas, nine-year-old Janie Hunt, and 18-year-old counselor Chloe Childress, remembered as “compassionate” and “wise beyond her years” by her high school.
The camp’s longtime director, Dick Eastland, also perished heroically while attempting to save campers, his grandson George Eastland shared in an Instagram tribute: “If he wasn’t going to die of natural causes, this was the only other way—saving the girls he so loved.”
Rescue efforts have been relentless, with over 850 high-water rescues reported by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. Texas Game Wardens, the Coast Guard, and volunteers, including Texas EquuSearch, combed debris-strewn riverbanks using helicopters, drones, and inflatable boats.
The debris fields are immense, covering both sides of the river for dozens of miles, with mud and mangled trees, cars, and other objects buried at least three feet deep in many places.
One counselor, Katharine Somerville, recounted to Fox News how girls in her care swam through a broken cabin window into neck-high water, navigating darkness and debris to reach safety. “Can you imagine, in the rushing waters and trees coming by you?” Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick remarked, praising the courage of survivors. Yet, the ongoing search for the missing, including 8-year-old Mary Grace Baker and others, weighs heavily on families awaiting news.
The tragedy generated questions about preparedness. Kerr County, part of Texas’s “Flash Flood Alley,” lacked sufficient warning systems, with alarms positioned downstream in places like Comfort, but not at Camp Mystic.
The National Weather Service issued alerts with regularity, but the most urgent middle-of-the-night warnings were apparently not received in time to spare lives at the camp. “No one knew this kind of flood was coming,” Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly admitted. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who visited the ravaged camp, vowed to “stop at nothing” until all missing are found, issuing a disaster declaration for 15 counties.
Amid the grief, stories of faith and resilience emerge. A video shared on X showed evacuated Camp Mystic girls singing hymns like “Amazing Grace” as they crossed a bridge over the still-raging Guadalupe. Parents like Serena Hanor Aldrich, whose daughters were rescued, expressed gratitude tempered by sorrow for those still missing. “There’s a number we just don’t know yet,” said Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice, noting the challenge of accounting for visitors during the July 4 weekend.
For many, Camp Mystic was a place where faith was nurtured alongside lifelong friendships. Alumna April Ancira, 44, recalled the camp’s owners, Dick and Tweety Eastland, making every camper feel special. Now, as mud-caked bunk beds and scattered belongings mark the devastation, the camp community clings to prayer. “We ask for your continued prayers, respect, and privacy,” the camp’s statement urged.
As Central Texas braces for more rain, the nation joins in mourning. President Donald Trump, signing a disaster declaration, wrote on Truth Social, “Melania and I are praying for all the families impacted by this horrible tragedy.” Pope Leo XIV also expressed condolences on X, saying, “We pray for them.”
For the Camp Mystic family, it will be a long journey of healing, trusting in God’s comfort amid profound loss.
