Swift Actions at a Texas Summer Camp Enable Successful Evacuations Before Fatal Flooding Occurs
In the aftermath of the devastating floods that hit Texas on the Fourth of July, one summer camp, Mo-Ranch, managed to avoid a catastrophe. The camp's quick, independent action by the staff, despite no warning from local authorities, played a crucial role in this outcome.
Aroldo Barrera, the facilities manager at Mo-Ranch, noticed the Guadalupe River steadily rising around 1 a.m. on the Fourth of July. He immediately notified his boss, setting off a chain of events that would save the lives of about 70 children and adults staying at the camp. Camp officials, including President and CEO Tim Huchton, acted swiftly and relocated the individuals to higher ground, avoiding a disaster that hit at least one other camp in the area.
Mo-Ranch's proactive response was a stark contrast to other camps in the region that suffered severe losses due to the sudden floods and lack of official warnings. Lisa Winters, communications director for Mo-Ranch, expressed emotion during an interview about the suffering of other camps, stating that it would have been "devastating" had camp officials not been looking at weather reports and the rising river waters.
In addition to moving several hundred campers and attendees to safety, Mo-Ranch also contacted parents of children by about 7 a.m. on Friday to inform them that their kids were safe. This decision to leave added to the mounting accounts of how camps and residents in the area say they were left to make their own decisions in the absence of warnings or notifications from the county.
Local authorities have faced heavy scrutiny and have deflected questions about how much warning they had or were able to provide the public, saying the reviews will come later. For now, they say they're focusing on rescues, with the death toll from the floods in Texas at least 51, and at least 27 girls still missing.
Despite some damage, Mo-Ranch suffered significantly less than other camps in the area. In the wake of the floods, Mo-Ranch remains closed and is working on ways to help other camps affected by the disaster. Mo-Ranch is part of a "sisterhood of camps" and takes care of each other, a fact that was evident in their quick response to the flood threat.
A sturdy aluminum kayak wrapped around a tree at Mo-Ranch serves as a stark reminder of the power of the flood waters. But for the quick, independent action of the camp staff, this could have been a tragic reminder of lives lost. Instead, it stands as a testament to the resilience and quick thinking of the Mo-Ranch team.
In Seattle's general news, the weather forecast indicates an approaching storm, prompting Mo-Ranch officials to recall their quick, independent actions during the Texas floods. The city's politics are under scrutiny for their handling of emergency notifications, with Mo-Ranch's proactive approach highlighting the importance of personal judgement and weather monitoring. Meanwhile, accident reports have increased due to the inclement weather in the city, emphasizing the need for cautious driving amidst the local weather conditions.
