Camp Mystic girls had a safe haven by the river for 100 years. Then, the flood came. claims USA Today.

Read Grok’s description of past flooding at Camp Mystic – does this seem to be a safe haven for 100 years?

Camp Mystic, located along the Guadalupe River in Texas, has experienced several flooding events in its nearly century-long history, with documented incidents occurring in the following years:

– **1932**: Just six years after the camp’s founding in 1926, a significant flood struck Camp Mystic. Heavy rainfall caused the Guadalupe River to overflow, sweeping away several cabins. Campers were evacuated across the river by canoe, and no fatalities were reported, though campers were left stranded without food and had to rely on fish from the floodwaters until help arrived.[](https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/11/us/camp-mystic-owner-warnings-texas-flooding-invs)

(https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/us/camp-mystic-flood-history.html)

– **1978**: A flood severely damaged Camp Mystic, with reports indicating it was the most affected among local summer camps. Five counselors had their vehicles swept into the Guadalupe River by floodwaters. While specific evacuation details are not fully documented, the camp managed to move over 100 campers to a higher-ground recreation hall for safety during the event.

(https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/11/us/camp-mystic-owner-warnings-texas-flooding-invs)

(https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/texas-officials-approved-camp-mystics-operating-plan-days-fatal-floods-rcna217514)

– **1985**: Floodwaters cut off access to the camp, requiring the airlifting of the camp owner’s pregnant wife, Tweety Eastland, to a hospital. While this event suggests significant disruption, specific details about a full camp evacuation are not provided in available records.

(https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/11/us/camp-mystic-owner-warnings-texas-flooding-invs)

– **1987**: Although Camp Mystic itself did not suffer fatalities during the devastating Guadalupe River Flood, which killed 10 teenagers at a nearby camp (Pot O’ Gold Ranch), officials at Camp Mystic were alerted to the flood risk. Reports indicate that by 4:30 a.m., officials ensured all campers were moved to high ground, suggesting a proactive evacuation effort. No deaths were reported at Camp Mystic during this event.

(https://abcnews.go.com/US/deadly-floods-camp-mystic-tragedy-compares-similar-event/story?id=123567375)

These incidents highlight a recurring pattern of flooding at Camp Mystic due to its location in a flood-prone area along the Guadalupe River, often referred to as part of Texas’ “Flash Flood Alley.” The camp has faced evacuations or significant disruptions in 1932, 1978, and 1987, with varying degrees of documentation about the evacuation processes. The 1985 event implies logistical challenges but lacks clear evidence of a camp-wide evacuation.[](https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/11/us/camp-mystic-owner-warnings-texas-flooding-invs)[](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/us/camp-mystic-flood-history.html)[](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/texas-officials-approved-camp-mystics-operating-plan-days-fatal-floods-rcna217514)

The most recent and catastrophic flooding occurred on July 4, 2025, resulting in the deaths of at least 27 campers and counselors, including the camp’s director, Dick Eastland. Despite a state-approved emergency plan in place, the rapid rise of the river (from 14 to 29.5 feet in 60 minutes) overwhelmed evacuation efforts, marking it as the deadliest flood in the camp’s history.

(https://apnews.com/article/camp-mystic-floods-state-inspection-ef17d51dc7868fa9cc5c3076c31ed98a)[

(https://apnews.com/article/texas-flooding-girls-missing-camp-mystic-395992e236e35c4486f9a6a97eed7704)[](https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/08/us/camp-mystic-inspectors-texas-floods)