Two Brothers Survive Texas Flood by Swimming from Their Camp Cabin

Two brothers recounted a terrifying night when floodwaters engulfed their camp in Texas, forcing them to escape by swimming from their cabin. Piers and Ruffin Boyett were asleep at Camp La Junta in Hunt, Texas, when intense storms caused the Guadalupe River to rise rapidly, reaching 26 feet within 45 minutes.

“The flood was getting higher,” Piers explained. “Water was rising to the top bunk, and we had no choice but to swim out.” Both brothers, wearing their camp shirts, described how the flooding destroyed the cabin walls and caused the structures to collapse. They watched as others took refuge on the rafters, waiting until they could escape safely.

Brothers Piers and Ruffin Boyett describe their escape from flooding. — Brothers Piers (left) and Ruffin (right) Boyett had to swim out of their flooded cabin at Camp La Junta.

Ruffin was the first to wake up in his cabin, noticing the water rising as his counselor remained asleep. “He woke up surprised, saying, ‘What? We’re flooding!'” Ruffin recalled. After swimming out, the brothers found refuge in hilltop cabins at the camp, where they stayed for 17 hours without injuries.

“We’re very grateful no one died,” Ruffin said, expressing relief. The brothers also saw the extent of destruction along the river, observing several camps completely obliterated by the floodwaters.

Drone view of flooding and debris in the Guadalupe River, Texas. — Debris and downed trees along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, Texas, caused by severe flooding.

Overall, the flood claimed 43 lives across Kerr County, including 28 adults and 15 children. Other camps, such as Camp Mystic, experienced tragic losses, with at least four fatalities and many missing children. The storm’s aftermath leaves many communities grappling with unprecedented devastation.