Texas Summer Camps Face Tragedy After Historic Flooding Hits Hill Country
The Texas Hill Country, known for its dramatic landscapes carved by time and water, became the scene of devastation this Fourth of July as severe flash flooding overtook parts of the region. Several summer camps located near the Guadalupe River and its tributaries suffered serious damage after torrential rains led to a once-in-a-century flood.
The region’s geography — rugged hills, deep limestone valleys, and narrow waterways — makes it especially prone to sudden flooding. When heavy rainfall falls faster than the land can absorb, it rushes downhill into creeks and rivers, which rapidly rise and overflow. These flooding patterns are not only predictable, but well-documented by federal agencies.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) maintains detailed flood zone maps across the U.S., identifying floodways — areas most likely to flood first — and zones with a 1% or 0.2% annual chance of severe flooding. Unfortunately, several Texas camps were operating in precisely these known risk zones.
Camps Located in High-Risk Flood Zones Suffer Severe Losses
One of the hardest-hit was Camp Mystic, a Christian camp for girls in western Kerr County, located at the convergence of the South Fork Guadalupe River and Cypress Creek. This area is marked by FEMA as overlapping both high-risk and moderate-risk flood zones. On July 4th, these waterways surged beyond their banks, converging dangerously near the campgrounds.
In a heartbreaking update, Camp Mystic confirmed that 27 campers and counselors died in the flood. The camp remains in contact with local emergency services, who continue searching for missing individuals.
Just north of Camp Mystic lies Camp La Junta, a boys’ camp near the same river system. While some parts of the camp’s property also fall within known flood-prone areas, many of its buildings are located on higher ground, reducing the overall impact. Still, the experience was terrifying for those inside.
Windom Etheridge, a 14-year-old camper at Camp La Junta, recalled waking up as floodwaters surged around his cabin. He and fellow campers climbed into the loft area for safety, uncertain of what would come next. “At one point, we just decided to lie down and rest,” he recounted. “But the water kept rising.” Eventually, the group was rescued, and all campers at La Junta were accounted for.
His mother, Amy Etheridge, expressed relief upon learning her son was safe. “All those boys were pretty traumatized,” she said, describing the emotional toll the night had taken.
Climate Change Fuels Deadlier and More Frequent Flooding
This flood has been classified as a 1-in-100-year event, meaning it statistically has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year. However, with climate change intensifying weather patterns, these once-rare events are becoming increasingly common. Warmer air holds more moisture, leading to sudden, heavy downpours — especially dangerous in regions like Central Texas, which has recently been battling drought. When extremely dry soil suddenly receives intense rainfall, the ground cannot absorb it quickly enough, resulting in fast-moving floods.
Earlier this year, Texas experienced several significant flood events, part of a broader trend across the U.S. In fact, last year saw a record number of flash flood emergencies nationwide.
As recovery efforts continue, families, communities, and camp leaders are grappling with deep loss — and growing concerns over the safety of children’s camps located in known floodplains. This tragedy may lead to renewed scrutiny of camp locations and disaster preparedness policies in Texas and beyond.
