The devastating floods that swept through central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend have left a trail of destruction and heartbreak—none more deeply felt than at Camp Mystic, a historic Christian girls’ summer camp in Hunt, Texas.
🏕️ What Happened at Camp Mystic?
In the early hours of July 4, torrential rains caused the Guadalupe River to rise an astonishing 26 feet in just 45 minutes, overtaking cabins and sweeping through the campgrounds. At the time, around 750 girls aged 8 to 17 were attending the camp’s month-long session.
The floodwaters hit hardest in the lower-lying cabins near the river, including those housing the youngest campers. These cabins—named Twins and Bubble Inn—were inundated from both directions. Camp co-owner Dick Eastland and his brother Edward Eastland rushed to rescue the girls, urging them to climb to top bunks as the water rose to the roofs.
💔 Casualties and Missing Campers
As of Sunday evening:
- At least 5 young girls from Camp Mystic have been confirmed dead
- More than 20 campers remain missing
- Dick Eastland, who had run the camp for decades, also died while trying to save the girls
The overall death toll from the Texas floods has surpassed 80, with 28 children among the victims. Many of the missing are believed to have been swept away in the floodwaters from Camp Mystic.
📸 Scenes of Devastation
Photos from the camp show:
- Cabins with entire walls torn away
- Mud-streaked interiors filled with overturned bunk beds, soaked bedding, and scattered belongings
- Personal items like stuffed animals and journals lying in the debris
One camper, Sarah Marsh, 8, from Alabama, was confirmed among the deceased. Another, Janie Hunt, 9, was also identified by family members.
🛟 Rescue Efforts and Community Response
- Texas Game Wardens and the U.S. Coast Guard conducted rescues by boat and helicopter, saving dozens of campers
- Local churches and volunteers provided food, water, and emotional support at reunification centers
- Social media was flooded with photos of missing girls, shared by desperate parents hoping for news
Texas Governor Greg Abbott visited the site and described the destruction as “horrendously ravaged in ways unlike I’ve seen in any natural disaster”. He has issued a disaster declaration for over two dozen counties.
🕊️ A Legacy Shaken
Founded in 1926, Camp Mystic has been a beloved institution for generations of Texas families. The daughters of three former Texas governors and members of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s family have attended the camp. It was preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary next year.
Now, that legacy is marked by tragedy. As Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said, “This is a generational camp… and this is a generational loss”.
