Catastrophic floods at Camp Mystic: Assessing the scale of the current disaster against the 1987 flood catastrophe
In a heartbreaking turn of events, ten teenagers lost their lives in a flood that hit Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, on July 4, 2023. Thirty-three children and adults were successfully rescued, but the loss is undeniably devastating. This flood incident bears an eerie resemblance to the Guadalupe River Flood of 1987, which claimed the lives of ten teenagers near Comfort, Texas.
The tragedy began on this fateful day when a flood warning was issued for the Guadalupe River at approximately 2:45 a.m., with 4 to 6 inches of rain falling in just three to four hours. An alert was released at 4:30 a.m., advising officials at camps along the river, including Camp Mystic, to move everyone away from the flood plain and to high ground. Reports indicate that people were trapped in rising waters at around the same time.
The flood wave coming down the Guadalupe River was notified to the camp at 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., giving the camp officials ample time to prepare for the impending disaster. However, the circumstances that led to the loss of life remain unclear.
Camp Mystic, which has faced scrutiny regarding its safety measures following the 2025 flood, had an emergency plan in place and was inspected by state officials just two days before the disaster. Yet, the 2023 tragedy has raised questions about the adequacy of safety measures in the event of a major flooding event.
The 1987 flood, known as the Guadalupe River Flood, began with 5 to 10 inches of rain falling in the upper headwaters of the Guadalupe River basin. The massive flood of 1987 traveled through Ingram, Hunt, Kerrville, and Comfort, Texas. One of the tragic incidents during this flood occurred at the Pot O' Gold Ranch, where a bus and a van were attempting to evacuate the teenagers.
However, one of the buses and the van encountered a flooded low water crossing and decided to take an alternate route. The lead buses successfully made a sharp turn, but the last bus stalled, and the van behind it became stranded. An attempt was made to evacuate the children off the bus and the van, but they were swept into the waters when a wall of water rushed upon them.
Despite the similarities between the 1987 and 2023 floods, it is unclear if any changes were implemented in the wake of the 1987 tragedy. It is also unclear if any specific safety measures were directly implemented at Camp Mystic following the 1987 incident, as the 1987 event occurred near Comfort and not at Camp Mystic itself. However, the 1987 tragedy could have potentially influenced broader safety practices in the region over time.
As investigations continue, the community mourns the loss of the ten teenagers and prays for the recovery of the survivors. The tragic events serve as a stark reminder of the unpredictable power of nature and the importance of robust safety measures in the face of such disasters.
Following the tragic flood that hit Camp Mystic in 2023, concerns about safety measures have arisen, especially in light of the similarities to the Guadalupe River Flood of 1987. It's crucial for travelers and general news outlets to closely monitor weather updates, especially when planning outdoor activities, to minimize risks and ensure the safety of all involved, as flood incidents can occur unexpectedly and have devastating consequences.
