Deadly Texas floods kill at least 59 at girls’ retreat Camp Mystic

What began as a joyful summer at Camp Mystic, a Christian girls' retreat nestled along the Guadalupe River in Texas, has ended in tragedy.

Torrential flash floods tore through the campgrounds late last week, transforming the beloved camp into the site of one of the deadliest flooding disasters in recent state history.

Among the victims was eight-year-old Renee Smajstrla, who had been pictured just a day earlier smiling with friends, "having the time of her life." Her uncle, Shawn Salta, shared a tribute on social media, writing, "She will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic."

The death toll now stands at 59, including campers, staff, and the camp’s longtime director, Richard "Dick" Eastland. At least 12 others, 11 campers and one counselor, remain missing, many of whom were believed to be asleep in cabins located just 500 feet from the river’s edge when the floodwaters surged.

Survivors described scenes of chaos and devastation. Thirteen-year-old Stella Thompson recounted being jolted awake by storms. From her cabin on higher ground, she and her peers could hear helicopters and sirens.

"When we got that news, we were all, like, hysterical and praying a lot," she told a local NBC affiliate. "The whole cabin was really, really terrified, but not for ourselves, worried for those on the other side."

Military trucks later arrived to evacuate the girls. Stella described “horrific” sights, kayaks stuck in trees, emergency crews pulling children from the water, and massive uprooted trees. “It didn’t look like Camp Mystic anymore,” she said.

Three days after the flooding, rescue operations are shifting toward recovery. Heavy rains continue to complicate the search effort, with officials warning that the death toll may still rise.

Camp Mystic, run by the same family for generations, has long been a sought-after summer destination for families across Texas and beyond, offering faith-based activities like Bible study alongside swimming, canoeing, and horseback riding. The natural beauty of the Guadalupe River, once a draw for generations of campers, became a deadly hazard as the river swelled with little warning.

Other camps in the area were also impacted. Heart O’ the Hills, another all-girls camp nearby, also experienced flooding. Its co-owner and director, Jane Ragsdale, was among the deceased, though the camp was not in session at the time. “We are mourning the loss of a woman who influenced countless lives and was the definition of strong and powerful,” the camp said in a statement.

Authorities are now facing tough questions about why so many youth camps are built so close to a river prone to flash flooding. Congressman Chip Roy urged caution against assigning blame too quickly.

"You have camps by the water because it’s by the water," Roy said. "It’s a beautiful and wonderful place to be."

For now, families of the missing are clinging to hope. Rescue crews, some using boats, others digging through debris, continue their search. “Until we can get them reunited with families, we are not going to stop,” said City Manager Dalton Rice.

Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency in the region, as communities brace for more rain and an uncertain road to recovery.