Update on Camp Mystic Campers On July 7, 2025, catastrophic flooding struck Kerr County, Texas, leaving a devastating impact on Camp Mystic, a historic all-girls Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe River. This tragic event has left families, authorities, and communities anxiously awaiting updates on the Campers missing from Camp Mystic and the ongoing rescue efforts. Update on Camp Mystic Campers With the Camp Mystic campers flood dominating headlines, here’s a comprehensive update on the situation, the response, and the hope for reuniting families.
A Tragic Loss in the Heart of Texas
On July 4, 2025, a catastrophic flash flood tore through Central Texas, leaving a trail of heartbreak and devastation. Among the hardest hit was Camp Mystic, a cherished Christian girls’ summer camp nestled along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County. This tight-knit community, filled with laughter and memories, was forever changed as the floodwaters claimed at least 82 lives, including 28 innocent children. The tragedy has left families, friends, and the nation grieving, with ten campers and one counselor still missing as of July 7, 2025.
Camp Mystic: A Place of Joy Turned to Sorrow
Camp Mystic, a haven for approximately 750 young girls, was overwhelmed when the Guadalupe River surged an unimaginable 26 feet in just 45 minutes. Cabins were reduced to rubble, vehicles swept away, and debris scattered across the once-vibrant campgrounds. Among the heroes was Dick Eastland, the camp’s beloved director, who lost his life saving others. His courage, alongside that of counselor Chloe Childress, who also perished, has left an indelible mark on the community. Their selflessness shines as a beacon of hope amid the sorrow.
Precious Lives Lost
The names of the young victims echo in the hearts of those who knew them: 9-year-old Janie Hunt from Dallas, 8-year-old Sarah Marsh from Alabama, 8-year-old Renee Smajstrla, 9-year-old Lila Bonner, Eloise Peck, Anna Margaret Bellows, and the twin granddaughters of David Lawrence Jr., both just 8 years old. Each name represents a story, a dream, and a family now grappling with unimaginable loss. The community mourns together, holding tight to memories of their bright spirits.
A Community’s Resilience and Ongoing Search
As rescue teams, including the Texas Air National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard, tirelessly search through the wreckage, hope persists for the ten missing campers and their counselor. Drones scour the area, and helicopters have already saved 15 young lives. Local residents join hands with state and federal responders, combing through debris for signs of hope. The Texas Rangers are collecting DNA to bring closure to families, while the community rallies with love and support, as seen in heartfelt posts across social media platforms like X.
Questions and Accountability
As the nation mourns, questions linger about why Camp Mystic wasn’t evacuated despite flood warnings. Governor Greg Abbott, who visited the ravaged site, called the scene “horrendously ravaged,” and President Trump has pledged a visit on July 11, 2025, following a major disaster declaration. Yet, local officials, including Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly and Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice, have faced scrutiny for sidestepping questions about preparedness. Concerns about understaffed weather offices potentially delaying critical alerts have added to the community’s call for answers.
As of July 6, 2025, the Camp Mystic flood crisis continues to unfold. The Guadalupe River surged over 20 feet in mere hours, impacting the camp’s low-lying cabins, particularly the “Flats” area, where many of the 750 campers were housed. Official reports confirm:
- 23–27 Girls Remain Missing: Authorities estimate that 23 to 27 young campers are still unaccounted for. Specific names released include Hadley Hanna (8), Lainey Landry, Greta Toranzo, Molly DeWitt, Virginia Hollis, and Wynne Naylor. Additionally, 19-year-old counselor Katherine Ferruzzo from Houston is among the missing.
- Confirmed Fatalities: At least five campers Janie Hunt (9), Renee Smajstrla, Lila Bonner, Sarah Marsh, and Eloise Peck have tragically lost their lives. Richard “Dick” Eastland, a Camp Mystic owner, is also among the deceased. Kerr County’s total death toll stands at 43, including 15 children.
- Rescue Operations: Over 850 individuals have been rescued uninjured, with eight reported injuries. The U.S. Coast Guard, Texas Game Wardens, and local teams are deploying helicopters, rescue swimmers, and tactical vehicles in relentless search efforts.
Rescue and Response Efforts
The response to the Camp Mystic flooding has been swift and extensive, involving:
- Multi-Agency Operations: Local, state, and federal teams are working around the clock. Texas Game Wardens have evacuated numerous individuals, while the Coast Guard airlifted 15 campers to safety on July 4.
- Official Support: Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick are actively overseeing operations, with Abbott pledging to continue searches until every missing person is found. The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office has established a dedicated line for parents: 830-258-1111.
- Community Vigilance: Families in Dallas, Houston, and Austin, where many campers reside, are organizing vigils and sharing updates via social media and news outlets to support one another.
Camp Mystic’s Communication with Families
Camp Mystic has faced significant challenges in communicating due to the loss of power, water, and internet, compounded by the destruction of the main access road. However, the camp has assured parents that:
- Families of missing campers have been directly contacted.
- Those not contacted can assume their children are safe and accounted for.
- Updates are being shared as quickly as possible under the circumstances.
The Flooding Crisis at Camp Mystic
Update on Camp Mystic Campers Camp Mystic, a nearly century-old summer camp located in Hunt, Texas, has been a cherished retreat for girls aged 7 to 17 since its founding in 1926. Nestled along the Guadalupe River, the camp offers activities like archery, kayaking, and spiritual development in a wholesome Christian environment.
Update on Camp Mystic Campers However, the camp’s idyllic setting turned perilous when unprecedented rainfall up to 11 inches in just hours caused the Guadalupe River to surge dramatically, rising 26 to 40 feet in some areas within hours. This catastrophic flooding, described as a “once-in-a-lifetime” event, overwhelmed the camp and surrounding areas, leading to significant loss and uncertainty.
Update on Camp Mystic Campers
Update on Camp Mystic Campers The flooding began around 4 a.m. on July 4, catching campers, staff, and local authorities off guard. Kerr County, located in Texas Hill Country, is part of the flood-prone “Flash Flood Alley,” where heavy rains can quickly turn rivers into torrents. The National Weather Service had issued a flood watch on Thursday evening, followed by flash flood warnings early Friday, but the speed and severity of the floodwaters were unprecedented. Cabins at Camp Mystic were flooded, and some were reportedly washed away, complicating evacuation efforts.
Campers Missing from Camp Mystic: The Current Situation
As of the latest updates on July 5, 2025, between 23 and 25 girls from Camp Mystic remain unaccounted for, out of the 750 campers present at the time of the flooding. The camp has two sites along the Guadalupe River, including the Cypress Lake and Senior Hill areas, where all campers have been confirmed safe. However, other parts of the camp were severely impacted, and the missing campers are believed to be from these areas. Camp Mystic officials have communicated to parents that if they have not been personally contacted, their daughters are accounted for, providing some relief to many families.
Among the missing are girls from various regions, including North Texas and Houston. Names such as Hadley Hanna, Eloise Peck, Lila Bonner, Kellyanne Lytal, Lainey Landry, and Greta Toranzo have been shared by families and media outlets, with parents posting heartfelt pleas on social media for information about their daughters. The uncertainty has been agonizing, with some parents, like Janie Hunt’s mother, expressing hope through prayers while awaiting news.
Rescue and Search Efforts
The response to the Camp Mystic campers flood has been swift and extensive. Texas authorities, including the Texas National Guard, Texas Game Wardens, and local sheriff’s offices, have mobilized a massive search-and-rescue operation. Over 500 personnel, 14 helicopters, and 12 drones are actively searching the flood-affected areas, focusing on the Guadalupe River and surrounding regions. By Friday evening, 237 people had been rescued, with 167 evacuations conducted by helicopter, many from Camp Mystic.
Texas Game Wardens reported gaining access to Camp Mystic with vehicles by Friday evening, evacuating accounted-for campers to safety. Helicopters have been ferrying girls to Ingram Elementary School, designated as a reunification center, where families anxiously await reunions. Some rescued campers were first taken to Ingram High School for medical evaluations. Stories of survival have emerged, including 13-year-old Elinor Lester, who described wading through floodwaters with her cabinmates and being airlifted to safety after holding onto a rope bridge.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist. Washed-out roads, including a nearby highway, have hindered access to the camp, which also lacks power, water, and Wi-Fi. The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office has described the situation as an “extremely active scene,” urging residents to avoid traveling near the Guadalupe River to facilitate rescue operations.
Community and Official Response
The flooding has claimed at least 24 lives in Kerr County, with one additional fatality in Kendall County, making it one of the deadliest flooding events in the region’s history. Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a disaster for Kerr County and 14 other counties, emphasizing that search-and-rescue efforts will continue “non-stop” through the night and into the weekend. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, acting governor at the time, vowed to families, “We will do everything humanly possible, 24/7, looking at every tree, turning over every rock,” to find the missing girls.
Federal support has been pledged, with President Donald Trump assuring Texas officials of full assistance. Texas Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn have also expressed condolences and committed to supporting recovery efforts. The Kerrville Police Department and local community have shown resilience, with the police stating, “We are strong together,” and expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support.
Hope Amidst Tragedy
While the situation remains dire, there are glimmers of hope. Social media posts have shared stories of miraculous rescues, such as girls found 10 miles downstream clinging to trees after holding onto mattresses that floated in the floodwaters. Update on Camp Mystic Campers These accounts, though unverified by officials, have fueled hope among families and communities. However, authorities have cautioned that some reports of all campers being found are false, and the search continues for the 23 to 25 unaccounted-for girls.
Camp Mystic’s leadership, including directors Britt and Catie Eastland, has been working closely with search-and-rescue teams despite the camp’s infrastructure being devastated. The camp, which was set to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026, has a legacy of fostering lifelong friendships and personal growth. The community’s prayers and support are now focused on the safe return of the missing campers.
How to Help and Stay Informed
For those looking to assist, officials have urged the public to avoid the affected areas to prevent hampering rescue efforts. Donations can be made through organizations like the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, which is supporting nonprofits responding to the disaster. Parents with campers at Camp Mystic are encouraged to contact camp officials directly for updates. For the latest information, monitor trusted sources like disaster.texas.gov and local news outlets such as KSAT and KPRC 2.
Conclusion
The Camp Mystic campers flood has brought heartbreak and urgency to Texas Hill Country, with 23 to 25 girls still unaccounted for amid catastrophic flooding. The resilience of rescue teams, the support of communities, and the hope of families keep the search alive. Update on Camp Mystic Campers As Texas rallies to find these young campers, the nation watches, prays, and hopes for their safe return. Stay updated through official channels, and continue to support the efforts to bring these girls home Update on Camp Mystic Campers.