Mom Recalls Daughters’ Rescue amid Flooding at Texas’ Camp Mystic, Says Staff ‘Should Have Been on Top of It’

Mom Recalls Daughters’ Rescue amidst Texas Camp Mystic Flooding

A mother’s harrowing account of her daughters’ rescue amidst the devastating flooding at Camp Mystic in Texas sheds light on the chaos and tragedy that unfolded on July 4th. Serena Hanor Aldrich recounted the ordeal to the New York Times, revealing that her two daughters, aged 9 and 12, were rescued from the camp as dozens of other campers remained missing.

According to reports, nearly two dozen girls were unaccounted for following the floods that struck the Christian girls-only summer camp. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick disclosed during a press conference on July 4th that 23 girls out of the 750 at the camp near the Guadalupe River were missing. Tragically, Kerr County Sheriff Larry L. Leitha confirmed the recovery of 27 bodies in the area, including those of nine children, while over 850 individuals were evacuated or rescued.

Aldrich expressed her frustration with the camp’s response to the impending disaster, suggesting that the staff should have been more vigilant in monitoring emergency alerts issued by the Texas Division of Emergency Management and Kerr County. She highlighted the lack of proactive measures taken by the camp in light of the weather warnings, expressing concern over the safety of the campers.

Her daughters had been separated into different sections of the camp when the flooding began, forcing them to seek higher ground to escape the rising waters. Despite the terrifying experience, both children were eventually located and brought to a reunification center at an elementary school in Ingram. Aldrich admitted uncertainty about the long-term impact of the traumatic event on her daughters, especially with the continued search for missing campers.

As the rescue efforts persist, reports indicate several young girls, including Hadley Hannah, Eloise Peck, Lila Bonner, Kellyanne Lytal, Molly DeWitt, Janie Hunt, Lainey Landry, Greta Toranzo, and Virginia Hollis, remain missing. Tragically, the family of Renee Smajstrla confirmed her death in the aftermath of the floods, underscoring the devastating toll of the natural disaster.

In response to the crisis, Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster to expedite aid to the affected regions, emphasizing the government’s commitment to locating every missing person. Despite finger-pointing at the National Weather Service (NWS) for allegedly underestimating the severity of the rainfall, local officials have pledged to continue the search until all individuals are found.

The community’s resilience and unity in the face of tragedy have been commended, with Sheriff Leitha acknowledging the overwhelming support and assistance received during the challenging time. The collaborative efforts of emergency responders and volunteers reflect the strength of solidarity in times of crisis, providing hope amidst the devastating loss experienced by many families.

As the search and rescue operations unfold, the repercussions of the Camp Mystic flooding serve as a stark reminder of the unpredictable forces of nature and the importance of swift and coordinated responses to mitigate disaster. The heartbreaking accounts of survivors and the ongoing efforts to locate missing campers underscore the resilience and compassion demonstrated in times of adversity.