Search for flood survivors in Texas is intensifying
The search for Texas flood survivors has intensified as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for counties near Texas.
As search and rescue operations progress in central Texas after a deadly flash flood, many feel the sadness and anxiety of devastation in the camps of all the girls who have been caught up in the flood.
About 700 children were resident at Camp Mystic, a 99-year-old non-denominational Christian summer camp for girls surrounded by Texas Hill Country, according to Texas Lieutenant Colonel Dan Patrick when the flash flood hit early July 4th.
As of July 6, officials say 10 children were still missing along with the camp counselor, and at least three girls who were present at summer camp are among the dead, based on reports from family members.
At least 80 people have died in floods caused by relentless rain to let parts of the Guadalupe River run out of banks, officials have announced, with the majority of deaths reported in the Carr County area, including camp.
As of July 6, Carr County’s worst flooding, Larry Leesa said authorities had recovered the bodies of 40 adults and 28 children.
What happened at Camp Mystic?
The day after the disaster occurred, the camp was a tableau of devastation, with the walls marked with mud slashes several feet from the ground, indicating how high the flood reached. Photos taken on July 5th show that the damaged building at camp lacks the entire side, others with broken windows, and the personal effects of young campers are scattered along with overturned furniture.
On July 6, parents were waiting for words to hear about the children missing from Camp Mystic on July 6, but Texas Gov. Greg Abbott spoke on the scene after visiting the site.
The girl’s camp was “a horrific and devastated unlike what we saw in natural disasters,” the governor said on July 5.
“We won’t stop until we find all the girls in those sheds,” Abbott, who issued disaster declarations in about 20 Texas Counties.
One camper van has been confirmed, including 8-year-old Sara Marsh from Alabama and 8-year-old Sara Marsh from Alabama, according to Mountain Brook, Alabama. 9-year-old Johnny Hunt was also among the dead, The New York Times and CNN both reported.
Other campers were also reported to have died Saturday by press.
Why the mystical tragedy of camps is so hard hit by many parents
Lille’s family, who have disappeared and died from the tragedy, have reached the statewide emotional aftershocks of the July 4 flood.
The camp has a renowned history in the state. According to Texas Monthly, the daughters of three former Texas governors spent the summer at camp, with three generations of girls present in attendance, attended by former President Lyndon B. Johnson’s family.
The Texas Tribune was once a camp counselor at Camp Mystic, and the current Republican lawmaker announced Saturday that two of his daughters were among those evacuated over the weekend.
“Camille, Vivian and I are now reuniting with Caroline and Juliana, who have been evacuated from Camp Mystic,” US lawmaker Pfluger wrote on X in August.
A generation of Texas families sent their daughters to Camp Mystic, former camper Claire Cannon told USA Today.
The effect of camping is generational for cannons, as both her mother and daughter are also present at Camp Mystic. For many summers, Cannon drove Highway 39 and hugged her on the way to the campsite, which was perched by the riverbank.
“We’ve seen a lot of money on our products,” said Cannon, a commercial and residential real estate agent in Dallas. “That part of Texas is absolutely gorgeous.”
Cannon’s daughter, now a 19-year-old college student, knew a counselor who was in camp during the disaster.
The camp is described on its website as “surrounded by Cypress, Live Oak and Pecan trees” along the banks of the Guadalupe River, and runs three sessions each summer, offering classic summer camp activities such as archery, canoeing, arts, crafts, swimming and horse riding.
“It’s a way for campers and counselors to join in singing songs, listening to the Bible, discovering ways to grow spiritually, and then go back to camp and home to apply these lessons to everyday life,” according to the site. Religious activities include Bible studies, Saturday evening Catholic Mass, Sunday morning prayer along the river, Vesper service on Sunday evening, and sunrise communion during the two or four weeks each. Other activities include cooking, dancing, basketball, lacrosse, soccer and yoga.
Along Highway 39 there is a large sign reading “Mystic” on the hill, Cannon said. It informed the girls that if they were mostly at camp or they had left, they wouldn’t see friends until next summer. “It always makes you cry,” Cannon said.
Contributions: Jeanine Santucci, Joel Shannon, Eduardo Cuevas, Trish Choate, Zac Anderson, Mike Snider, USA Today.
Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA Today. You can contact her kapalmer@usatoday.com And with x @Kathrynplmr.
