Witness describes deadly flood wall that killed more than 100 in Texas
The deadly flood that struck Hunt, Texas in the early hours of July Fourth left a trail of destruction and devastation in its wake. Locals just five miles upriver from Camp Mystic watched in horror as a deadly flood wall surged towards the all-girls Christian camp, illuminated only by flashes of lightning.
More than 100 people lost their lives and nearly twice as many others went missing in the Hill Country surge. Camp Mystic confirmed 27 fatalities among its campers and counselors, as of Tuesday.
Shelby Willis, a 33-year-old resident, recalled the terrifying night when the floodwaters rose rapidly. She and her family were at her in-laws’ home on the Guadalupe River in Hunt, situated on one of the higher points on the South Fork. They watched as the water level rose, fearing for their safety.
“We couldn’t see the river outside of the flashes of lightning,” Willis said. “There were massive cypress trees folded over because the water was rushing so fast and so high. It was loud, and there was a lot of thunder, but people were probably sleeping extra hard because of the Fourth of July festivities.”
The family realized the severity of the situation when they saw Black Hawk helicopters above, signaling that rescue operations were underway. They were trapped until Saturday, witnessing the destruction caused by the flood.
Local residents used tractors and farming machinery to clear debris and make transportation possible. Willis described the scene as “unbelievable,” with pieces of asphalt scattered everywhere and trees uprooted by the powerful floodwaters.
Despite the tragedy, Willis expressed gratitude for the lives that were saved amidst the disaster. Over 700 kids were evacuated from the camp in a short amount of time, thanks to the quick thinking of camp staff.
As Hunt begins the long process of recovery and rebuilding, Willis remains hopeful that the town will come back stronger than ever. She believes that improvements will be made to prevent such a disaster from happening again and that the community will rally together to support one another.
“Hunt is like a family, and everyone is very resilient,” Willis said. “I know that it’ll be built back, better and safer. Sometimes it takes tragedy to make you realize how vulnerable something is. No one’s going to give up on this area, and I hope they don’t give up on the camps either, because they really are formative for a lot of people.”
As the cleanup and recovery efforts continue in the wake of the devastating flood, the spirit of resilience and community in Hunt shines through. The town may be forever changed by the disaster, but its residents are determined to rebuild and move forward.
