No one imagined that a quiet summer camp in Texas would be swallowed by a sudden, deadly flood.
But in the early hours of July 4, rising waters surged with alarming speed, sending a chilling final message — “we’re being washed away.” What truly unfolded at Camp Mystic during those desperate moments?
Was this tragedy purely the wrath of nature, or were there warning signs that went unnoticed? The truth lies beneath the wreckage, waiting to be uncovered.
The death toll from the catastrophic floods that struck central Texas last week has now climbed to over 100 confirmed fatalities.
Emergency teams continue the arduous search for survivors as floodwaters from the Guadalupe River rose an astonishing 26 feet (eight meters) within just 45 minutes on July 4, wreaking havoc across communities.
Among the hardest hit was Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls nestled beside the river in Kerr County. The camp lost 27 campers and counselors to the floods. Heartbroken families have come forward, sharing stories of loss — including the final desperate text from 21-year-old Joyce Catherine Badon before she was swept away.
Joyce, who had been staying with friends in Hunt, Texas, was trapped in a home near the river as floodwaters crashed through. Her body was recovered recently, as her family mourns the loss of their beloved daughter.
Her mother Kellye shared a moving tribute on Facebook:
“God guided us this morning to find our beautiful daughter who blessed us for 21 years. We pray her three friends are found soon. Thank you all for your prayers and support. God is good.”
Louis Deppe, leading a volunteer search team, described the harrowing scene:
“The house collapsed around 4 a.m. Friday. Joyce’s last message was, ‘we’re being washed away,’ before the phone went silent.”
Statewide, fatalities have reached 104, with Kerr County reporting 84 deaths alone — a steep increase from earlier figures. Other counties including Travis, Burnet, Williamson, Kendall, and Tom Green have also suffered losses.
The flood’s impact on Camp Mystic was especially tragic, with 11 people still missing, including 10 campers and one counselor.
Survivor accounts bring the horror into focus. Thirteen-year-old Stella Thompson, who had arrived for her sixth summer at the camp, described the night the floods struck. Her cabin was on higher ground near Cypress Lake, away from the worst of the river’s surge.
She recalls the darkness after the power went out and the anxious moments spent waiting for news as helicopters circled overhead. When word came that campers closer to the Guadalupe River needed urgent evacuation, fear took hold.
“We were terrified, but not for ourselves — for those near the water,” Stella said.
Rescue teams eventually arrived to evacuate Stella and her cabinmates, but the camp itself was left in ruin.
“It was horrifying to see kayaks stuck in trees and cabins torn apart — it didn’t look like Camp Mystic anymore,” she recalled.
The floods that tore through central Texas have left a community grappling with profound grief. Over 100 lives lost, including young campers full of promise. Joyce Badon’s final message remains a haunting reminder of the swift and brutal power of nature.
Yet amidst the devastation, survivors like Stella remind us of resilience and hope. This tragedy underscores the critical need for better preparedness, stronger support systems, and community unity in the face of disaster.