In a world where unpredictability is the only thing guaranteed, one would think that institutions responsible for the safety of our children during nature’s tantrums would have a firmer grip on preparedness. Yet, as the floodwaters rose alarmingly fast along the Guadalupe River, one camp in particular seemed to not have received the memo—or perhaps chose to ignore it. The tragically hit Camp Mystic became ground zero for a disaster that has left hearts heavy and families in dismay.
Kerr County’s Camp Mystic, nestled along the river, appeared blissfully unaware of the looming danger, despite weather warnings being sent long before the calamity struck. One might fairly wonder if their emergency response plan only consisted of fervent prayer and crossed fingers. When the waters began to rise—almost mockingly fast, like a thief in the night—it left 27 souls unaccounted for, while rescue teams scrambled over the treacherous terrain like ants in a monsoon.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who valiantly discusses the ongoing efforts on the ground, underscores the coordination challenges posed by thousands of campers and visitors in the area. It’s a bit like trying to clap with one hand—impressive in theory, but doesn’t quite work out. The lieutenant governor speaks passionately about the varied rescue efforts that include brave souls engaging with the helter-skelter rush of the river. Yet, beneath every layer of hope lies a growing list of missing persons that keeps loved ones on edge.
As one hears the stories of narrow escapes, with children climbing out of windows into the menacing waters below—barefoot, and dressed in only their nightgowns—it’s both heartbreaking and bewildering. Counselors, barely adults themselves, showed incredible bravery, but should they have been placed in this position in the first place? Really, Camp Mystic, was this unpredictability so unpredictable? It seems some adult decision-making, which is supposedly a cornerstone of running these establishments, could have used a turbo boost.
Of course, Lieutenant Governor Patrick rightly focuses on the rescue efforts, emphasizing that the time for evaluation will come later. But when nature plays draconian games, perhaps it’s time to reevaluate how seriously we take initial warnings. This flood, in a sadly ironic twist, managed to catch an entire camp off guard in “Flash Flood Alley,” a place with a history of similar disasters. One can only ponder if anyone over at Camp Mystic bothered checking the weather app that day.
As prayers and search efforts continue, the reality hits home harder than the river’s current—that being caught off guard is no longer an acceptable excuse. It’s a harsh lesson that, hopefully, will never need repeating for Camp Mystic or any others along the sprawling Texas rivers. For now, we can only hope that every exhausted rescue worker and teary-eyed parent is soon able to embrace missing loved ones, leaving stories of heroism rather than heartbreak in their wake.
