Teen describes surviving Camp Mystic flood disaster in Central Texas

A Young Camper Recounts Harrowing Ordeal at Camp Mystic During Catastrophic Texas Floods

As Central Texas was pummeled by catastrophic floods, a young camper at Camp Mystic described the harrowing ordeal that unfolded before her eyes. Sixteen-year-old Callie McAlary shared her experience on ‘Fox Report,’ detailing the terrifying moments as the floods ravaged the camp.

“We went to bed thinking it was just a normal thunderstorm. One minute you see lightning strike next to your cabin, and next thing you know, you hear water coming up,” McAlary recounted. “Kids were running, trying to get to other cabins, trying to find safety. Luckily, my cabin was spared from the flooding, but the cabins in front of us were not as fortunate.”

McAlary’s mother, Tara Bradburn, also reflected on the tragic events that unfolded at Camp Mystic. Despite living in Virginia now, Bradburn emphasized the significance of the camp in their lives, as McAlary had been attending since second grade.

“We chose this camp because it was important for my child to have Texas roots. We trusted the Eastland family and the staff at Camp Mystic to nurture and guide our child in her faith and personal growth,” Bradburn shared. “We are devastated by what has happened, but grateful to the Eastland family for their heroic efforts in saving as many children as they could.”

Bradburn commended the counselors and staff for their bravery and quick thinking during the flash flood, highlighting their efforts to keep the campers safe and calm in the midst of chaos. She expressed gratitude for the young counselors who went above and beyond to ensure the safety of the children.

McAlary continued to recount the night of the flood, recalling the moment when she realized the severity of the situation. “We heard a camper running in, saying our cabin was flooding. Some girls had to sleep on trunks, share beds, or even sleep on the floor because their cabins were flooded,” McAlary shared.

In a moment of fear and uncertainty, McAlary put her name tag on her body as a precaution. “I put on my name tag because I was scared that our cabin might be next. I thought, if something does happen, at least I’ll have my name on me,” she explained.

Bradburn, reflecting on the experience, mentioned how their past experiences in war zones had prepared them for emergencies, but nothing could have prepared them for this. She expressed relief in seeing her daughter safe and alive, while also mourning for the families of the missing campers.

As the search for missing campers continued, McAlary held onto hope for their safe return. “I really hope those kids that are missing are found. It’s hard to think that one minute they were hugging me, and the next they could be gone,” she said.

The devastating events at Camp Mystic have left a lasting impact on the campers, families, and staff involved. As the community comes together to support one another during this difficult time, the resilience and bravery of those involved serve as a beacon of hope in the face of tragedy.