Tragic Flooding at Camp Mystic Results in 27 Confirmed Deaths

Camp Mystic, a longstanding all-girls Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, Texas, has experienced a devastating disaster, confirming the deaths of 27 campers and staff members due to severe flash floods. This camp, since its founding in 1926 by former University of Texas football coach EJ “Doc” Stewart, has provided a safe environment for young girls, operating almost continuously with only a few exceptions.

The flooding was triggered early Friday when the Guadalupe River surged over 26 feet in under an hour, engulfing the area rapidly. Authorities confirmed that several individuals remain unaccounted for, including several girls and a counselor, with search efforts ongoing. The overall death toll in the region has reached at least 82, though officials warn this number is expected to rise.

Among those who lost their lives was the camp’s owner, Dick Eastland, who heroically died attempting to rescue campers, according to his grandson’s social media posts. Rescue teams are actively searching through debris and performing rescue operations, as footage shows crews in boats and on foot working tirelessly to find survivors or remains of those swept away by the floodwaters.

The flood caused extensive damage, including washing out roads and bridges, such as a severely impacted crossing over the Llano River in Llano County. Surveillance footage captured moments moments before the flash flood inundated the area within ten minutes, highlighting the sudden and powerful nature of the disaster.

At the time of the flood, more than 700 children were attending the camp during its second of four weekly sessions. The tragedy echoes a previous disaster in 1987 when ten teenagers died in a similar flash flood incident at the same site.

The camp’s community and authorities continue to coordinate search efforts, and the region remains on high alert as recovery and investigation efforts unfold.