A 9-Year-Old’s Final Words Haunt Central Texas Flood Tragedy
In the predawn hours of a relentless Central Texas storm, a 9-year-old girl’s last words pierced the chaos with heartbreaking clarity. Just minutes before floodwaters claimed her life, Clie Steward’s message carried a sense of urgent foresight no parent should ever hear.
The devastating flash floods that struck Camp Mystic left families and rescuers grappling not only with loss, but with the haunting resonance of those fleeting moments.
During an emotionally charged press conference on August 7, 2025, Clie’s parents, Maria and Rob Steward, recounted the final call from their daughter. Speaking through tears in Amy, Texas, Maria remembered:
“Mom, the water’s coming. I love you.”
These six words, spoken with astonishing calm amidst rising waters, were the last communication from Clie, who had been attending a July 4 weekend retreat along the Guadalupe River. Within hours, torrential rains—10 inches in mere hours—transformed the area into a flash flood zone.
The river surged 26 feet in just 45 minutes, sweeping away cabins, trailers, and leaving 27 girls initially reported missing. Early this morning, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed that Clie’s body had been recovered near Ingram.
Rob Steward reflected on the terror of that final call: “It was 3:15 a.m. The phone rang while we were asleep, and for a brief moment, we heard her courage even through fear. Those words replay in our minds endlessly.”
Clie, described by her family as a bright, artistic, and energetic child who loved soccer, brought joy to everyone around her. Her parents hope that sharing her story will highlight not only the human cost of the floods but also the urgent need for more effective warning systems and disaster preparedness.
The July floods rank among the deadliest in recent U.S. history for children, claiming at least 15 lives at Camp Mystic. Rescuers faced extraordinary obstacles, from debris-strewn terrain to rapidly changing river conditions, employing helicopters, drones, and ground teams in a race against time.
Governor Greg Abbott expanded disaster declarations, though some critics have pointed to funding cuts and delayed response from the National Weather Service as contributing factors.
Across social media, #ClieSteward has become a rallying cry, shared over 2 million times as communities honor her bravery and mourn her loss. Camp counselors who helped save other children have been lauded as heroes, yet the grief remains immeasurable.
The Steward family has announced a memorial for August 10, alongside plans to advocate for enhanced flood safety measures. As Maria said, “Clie’s words remind us that love persists, even in the darkest moments.”
🔹 Conclusion
Clie Steward’s final words are a haunting testament to the sudden, uncontrollable force of nature—and the fragile, precious nature of life. Her courage and love, captured in a single phone call, have sparked both grief and resolve, inspiring Central Texas to confront the realities of disaster preparedness with renewed urgency.
Through remembrance, advocacy, and community solidarity, Clie’s legacy may help guide future generations toward a safer, more resilient tomorrow.