Tragedy at Camp Mystic: Texas Flash Flood Claims Life of Young Counselor and Dozens More
A powerful flash flood struck the heart of Texas Hill Country before dawn on July 4, transforming a quiet summer morning into chaos, fear, and irreversible loss. Among the many victims of this catastrophic event was 19-year-old Katherine Ferruzzo, a bright young counselor at Camp Mystic, whose life and legacy have since become a focal point of grief and remembrance.
A Sudden Surge on the Guadalupe River
endence Day when intense tropical rainfall caused the Guadalupe River to swell dramatically—rising 26 feet in just 45 minutes. The resulting floodwaters ravaged homes, camps, and communities across central Texas, with the all-girls summer retreat Camp Mystic taking the brunt of the destruction.
Camp Mystic, nestled southwest of Hunt, Texas, was one of the hardest-hit sites. At least 27 individuals from the camp, including staff and campers, were initially reported missing. The water swept away cabins, vehicles, and bridges, leaving parts of the camp isolated and submerged. Panic spread as thunderclaps jolted young girls awake, many of whom had no emergency training or time to prepare.
Life-threatening flash flooding is underway in the Texas Hill Country, with multiple counties under emergency warnings.
All ground search operations in Kerrville are suspended due to the flood danger.
“Everybody thought flooding was a possibility but we never got training,” 14-year-old camper Amelia Moore told reporters.
According to Moore, some of the lower cabins—like Look Out and Hangover—were entirely underwater. Campers from the Flats, where the youngest girls stayed, were among those most vulnerable. The bridge connecting the Flats to Senior Hill was blocked by debris and rushing water, cutting off entire sections of the camp. With no snacks allowed in cabins and communication lines down, the girls endured the harrowing wait with no food, guidance, or clarity.
“Everybody thought flooding was a possibility but we never got training,” 14-year-old camper Amelia Moore told reporters.
According to Moore, some of the lower cabins—like Look Out and Hangover—were entirely underwater. Campers from the Flats, where the youngest girls stayed, were among those most vulnerable. The bridge connecting the Flats to Senior Hill was blocked by debris and rushing water, cutting off entire sections of the camp. With no snacks allowed in cabins and communication lines down, the girls endured the harrowing wait with no food, guidance, or clarity.
Remembering Katherine Ferruzzo
On July 11, a week after the flood, authorities confirmed the body of Katherine Ferruzzo had been found. The 19-year-old, who had recently graduated from Memorial High School and was preparing to attend the University of Texas at Austin to study special education, had been volunteering as a counselor at Camp Mystic.
“Everybody thought flooding was a possibility but we never got training,” 14-year-old camper Amelia Moore told reporters.
According to Moore, some of the lower cabins—like Look Out and Hangover—were entirely underwater. Campers from the Flats, where the youngest girls stayed, were among those most vulnerable. The bridge connecting the Flats to Senior Hill was blocked by debris and rushing water, cutting off entire sections of the camp. With no snacks allowed in cabins and communication lines down, the girls endured the harrowing wait with no food, guidance, or clarity.
Remembering Katherine Ferruzzo
On July 11, a week after the flood, authorities confirmed the body of Katherine Ferruzzo had been found. The 19-year-old, who had recently graduated from Memorial High School and was preparing to attend the University of Texas at Austin to study special education, had been volunteering as a counselor at Camp Mystic.
Her family expressed gratitude to search teams, volunteers, and the Texas Rangers for their tireless efforts to bring her home. In a written statement, they also thanked both the Houston and Camp Mystic communities for their compassion and support during an unspeakably painful time.
Ferruzzo had long been devoted to helping children with special needs. She volunteered extensively in Houston and was instrumental in organizing Memorial High School’s first-ever Unity Football game—an inclusive event for students with special needs to participate in a mini-football game. Her passion and spirit left an enduring mark on everyone she met.
A Disaster of Historic Proportions
President Donald Trump announced plans to visit the region but refrained from politicizing the tragedy.
Condolences have poured in from around the world. King Charles III sent a letter to President Trump expressing “profound sadness” and extending his sympathies to the families of those lost.
