Texas Camp Mystic Flood: Girls' Summer Camp Tragedy on Guadalupe River

Texas Camp Mystic Flood: A Summer Dream Turned Tragedy

A beloved girls' summer camp, Camp Mystic, nestled along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, Texas, has been struck by a catastrophic flood. What was once a haven of laughter and adventure is now a scene of devastation.

The Heartbreak at Camp Mystic

Among the victims is eight-year-old Renee Smajstrla, remembered for her infectious joy just days before the disaster. Her uncle shared a photo of Renee, beaming, saying she was “having the time of her life.” Tragically, Camp Mystic has become the site of one of Texas's deadliest flood events. The flood has claimed the lives of at least 59 people including camp director, Richard 'Dick' Eastland. Eleven campers and one counselor are still missing.

"She will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic," her uncle Shawn Salta wrote on Facebook, capturing the bittersweet memory.

Eyewitness Accounts of the Disaster

Stella Thompson, a 13-year-old camper, described the horrifying scenes as military trucks evacuated survivors. "You'd see kayaks in trees… then there was first responders in the water pulling out girls," she recounted. The once picturesque landscape has been transformed into a debris-strewn wasteland.

Questions and Recovery Efforts

As rescue efforts continue, questions are being raised about the placement of camps near the river and the evacuation protocols. Congressman Chip Roy urged caution against assigning blame prematurely, emphasizing the river's appeal. Search teams continue their work day and night to reunite families.

Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency. The search for survivors is ongoing, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the devastation.