Texas Flood Disaster Strikes Camp Mystic: Counselors Share Harrowing Story

Devastating Losses at Camp Mystic

The Texas flood disaster struck Camp Mystic with brutal force. At least 27 campers lost their lives in the tragedy. Now, two surviving counselors, Silvana Garza and Maria Paula Zárate, are bravely sharing the nightmare they endured—and the impossible choice they faced as waters surged.

Writing Names on Skin: A Desperate Measure

About 750 girls attended the private Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe River when floodwaters suddenly rose. Silvana and Maria were at the Cypress Lake site, where survivors from the main camp arrived seeking safety.

Faced with chaos, the counselors made a grim decision: they wrote the girls’ names—and their own—directly on their bodies.

“We started to write our names on our skin, anywhere visible,” Maria told Mexican outlet NMas.

“We did the same for the girls, writing their names where they could be seen easily.”

This was a heartbreaking but necessary step, meant to identify campers if the floodwaters swept them away and separated them from loved ones.

Shielding the Kids from Ho*ror

Despite the mounting fear, the counselors kept a brave face.

“We were told to put on a happy face so we wouldn’t scare the kids,” Silvana recalled.

They urged the girls to prepare for evacuation—packing bags and clutching favorite stuffed animals—hoping for safety but fearing the worst.

Chaos and Fear During Evacuation

Uncertainty weighed heavily as they waited for evacuation orders.

“We didn’t know if we were going to be evacuated or not,” Silvana said. “We were just waiting.”

When evacuation came, panic erupted.

“All of the girls started to go crazy,” Silvana said. “Some cried because they didn’t want to leave. Others wanted their parents. It was awful.”

The campers didn’t have cell phones and weren’t immediately told about the d**ths. Silvana only fully understood the disaster’s scale once they were evacuated.

Ongoing Search and Rescue Efforts
At a Tuesday news conference, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed that five campers and one counselor remain missing. Rescue teams continue searching floodwaters.

Spokesperson Jonathan Lamb reported the last live rescue occurred the previous Friday.

Community Mourns, Prays, and Thanks First Responders
Camp Mystic released a heartfelt statement:

“Our hearts are broken alongside our families enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly.”

They thanked the community and first responders risking their lives.

“We ask for your continued prayers, respect, and privacy for our families affected. May the Lord wrap His presence around us all.”

Massive State Response Underway
The floods triggered a large-scale emergency response. Governor Greg Abbott reported that over 1,500 state workers have been deployed to aid rescue and recovery efforts.

As search teams work tirelessly, the nation watches and prays for those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.