Camp Counselor Recounts 'Complete Devastation' and Escape from Texas Flooding

Escape from Camp Mystic Flooding

• 💡 Camp Mystic counselor Katherine Somerville describes being awakened by a severe storm at Camp Mystic Cypress Lake around 1:00 AM.
• ⚠️ The situation escalated with power outages and loss of running water by 4:00 AM, causing fear among the 13-year-old campers.
• 🚀 Evacuation orders came from the National Guard around 6:30 PM, prompting a guided escape from the rising Guadalupe River.
• 🤝 Campers were safely guided hand-in-hand onto military trucks for transport to safety.

Tribute to Camp Director Dick Eastland

• 💔 Camp Mystic director Dick Eastland tragically died while attempting to rescue campers.
• 🌟 Somerville remembers Eastland as a selfless, inspirational father figure who guided campers in faith and activities.
• 🎶 His memorable quote, "A bell is not a bell until you ring it. A song is not a song until you sing it. The love in your heart was not put there to stay. Love is not love until you give it away," emphasized sharing love and kindness.

Devastation in Kerrville, Texas

• 🌊 While aware of past floods, Somerville never imagined the scale of devastation that hit Kerrville and Camp Mystic.
• 🏠 Cabins located on hilltops were completely flooded, a level of destruction beyond prior imagination.

Community Resilience and Recovery

• 💪 Somerville expresses extreme confidence in the resilience of the Kerrville community, describing it as small but strong and mighty.
• 🤝 Residents are already banding together to gather supplies and donations to help those affected by the disaster.

Campers' Safety and Reunification

• ✅ All of Somerville's campers are confirmed safe and have been reunited with their parents through an efficient process at Ingram Middle School.
• 📌 While personal belongings remain at the flooded camp, the safety of the girls is the primary concern as search and rescue operations continue.