The waterways in Texas Hill Country have carved paths over the centuries through the granite and limestone, shaping the rocky peaks and valleys that make the region so breathtaking.When too much rain falls for the ground to absorb, it runs downhill, pulled by gravity into streams, creeks and rivers. The rain fills the waterways beyond their banks and the excess overflows in predictable patterns that follow the terrain.Governments and waterway managers know what will flood first and who will be threatened when a truly historic rain event takes place.Several of the camps along the Guadalupe River and its tributaries sustained damage early July 4. Many of them are in areas known to flood.The Federal Emergency Management Agency maintains a database of flood zones throughout the country. It maps the regulatory floodways ā the places that will flood first and are most dangerous ā and the areas that will flood in extreme events.The Guadalupe River flood was a 1-in-100-year event, meaning it has about a 1% chance of happening in any given year. Extreme flooding is happening more frequently as the world warms and the atmosphere is able to hold more moisture.Texas has already seen multiple dangerous flooding events this year, and the United States overall saw a record number of flash flood emergencies last year.More than an entire summerās worth of rain fell in some spots in central Texas in just a few hours early on the Fourth of July, quickly overwhelming dry soils and creating significant flash flooding. Central Texas is currently home to some of the worst drought in the United States and bone-dry soils flood very quickly. Camp Mystic is a nondenominational Christian summer camp for girls in western Kerr County. The camp is located at a dangerous confluence of the South Fork Guadalupe River and Cypress Creek, where flood waters converged.Camp Mystic has two sites, both of which overlap with either the floodway or areas the federal government has determined have a 1% or 0.2% annual chance of flooding.The camp confirmed that at least 27 campers and counselors perished in the floods in a statement on its website. It said it is in communication with local authorities who are continuing to search for āmissing girls.āTen minutes north on the South Fork is Camp La Junta, a boys camp. Some of Camp La Juntaās property also coincides with areas known to flood, though several of its buildings are located in the lower-risk zone, or outside the flood zones entirely.Windom Etheridge, a 14-year-old at Camp La Junta in Hunt, Texas, told CNNās Fredricka Whitfield he woke up to people from all over the camp coming to āseek refugeā at his cabin. They stayed there, fearing the strong floodwaters could sweep them away.As the water rose, they climbed into the loft of their cabin to escape, but it wasnāt safe, Etheridge said. āSo at some point, we just decided ā¦ we could go to bed for a little bit, but then we woke up again to more water,ā he said.Etheridgeās parents were among the lucky who received word that their child was safe and could be picked up. āAll those boys were pretty traumatized,ā said Amy Etheridge, Windomās mother.Everyone at Camp La Junta has been safe and accounted for, the camp announced Friday.
The waterways in Texas Hill Country have carved paths over the centuries through the granite and limestone, shaping the rocky peaks and valleys that make the region so breathtaking.
When too much rain falls for the ground to absorb, it runs downhill, pulled by gravity into streams, creeks and rivers. The rain fills the waterways beyond their banks and the excess overflows in predictable patterns that follow the terrain.
Governments and waterway managers know what will flood first and who will be threatened when a truly historic rain event takes place.
Several of the camps along the Guadalupe River and its tributaries sustained damage early July 4. Many of them are in areas known to flood.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency maintains a database of flood zones throughout the country. It maps the regulatory floodways ā the places that will flood first and are most dangerous ā and the areas that will flood in extreme events.
From CNN via CNN Newsource
Camp Mystic has two sites, both of which overlap with either the floodway or areas the federal government has determined have a 1% or 0.2% annual chance of flooding.
The Guadalupe River flood was a 1-in-100-year event, meaning it has about a 1% chance of happening in any given year. Extreme flooding is happening more frequently as the world warms and the atmosphere is able to hold more moisture.
Texas has already seen multiple dangerous flooding events this year, and the United States overall saw a record number of flash flood emergencies last year.
More than an entire summerās worth of rain fell in some spots in central Texas in just a few hours early on the Fourth of July, quickly overwhelming dry soils and creating significant flash flooding. Central Texas is currently home to some of the worst drought in the United States and bone-dry soils flood very quickly.
Camp Mystic is a nondenominational Christian summer camp for girls in western Kerr County. The camp is located at a dangerous confluence of the South Fork Guadalupe River and Cypress Creek, where flood waters converged.
Camp Mystic has two sites, both of which overlap with either the floodway or areas the federal government has determined have a 1% or 0.2% annual chance of flooding.
RONALDO SCHEMIDT
A view of damaged buildings and fallen trees at Camp Mystic along the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas, on July 7, 2025, following severe flash flooding that occurred during the July 4 holiday weekend. Rescuers in Texas continue to race against time to find dozens of missing people, including children, swept away by flash floods that killed more than 80 people, with forecasters warning of new deluges. In a terrifying display of nature’s power, the rain-swollen waters of the Guadalupe River reached treetops and the roofs of cabins in Camp Mystic as girls slept overnight on Friday, July 4, washing away some of them and leaving a scene of devastation. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP) (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
The camp confirmed that at least 27 campers and counselors perished in the floods in a statement on its website. It said it is in communication with local authorities who are continuing to search for āmissing girls.ā
Ten minutes north on the South Fork is Camp La Junta, a boys camp. Some of Camp La Juntaās property also coincides with areas known to flood, though several of its buildings are located in the lower-risk zone, or outside the flood zones entirely.
Windom Etheridge, a 14-year-old at Camp La Junta in Hunt, Texas, told CNNās Fredricka Whitfield he woke up to people from all over the camp coming to āseek refugeā at his cabin. They stayed there, fearing the strong floodwaters could sweep them away.
As the water rose, they climbed into the loft of their cabin to escape, but it wasnāt safe, Etheridge said. āSo at some point, we just decided ā¦ we could go to bed for a little bit, but then we woke up again to more water,ā he said.
Etheridgeās parents were among the lucky who received word that their child was safe and could be picked up. āAll those boys were pretty traumatized,ā said Amy Etheridge, Windomās mother.
Everyone at Camp La Junta has been safe and accounted for, the camp announced Friday.
