A powerful flash flood struck the heart of Texas Hill Country before dawn on July 4, transforming a quiet summer morning into chaos, fear, and irreversible loss. Among the many victims of this catastrophic event was 19-year-old Katherine Ferruzzo, a bright young counselor at Camp Mystic, whose life and legacy have since become a focal point of grief and remembrance.
A Sudden Surge on the Guadalupe River
The disaster unfolded in the early hours of Independence Day when intense tropical rainfall caused the Guadalupe River to swell dramatically—rising 26 feet in just 45 minutes. The resulting floodwaters ravaged homes, camps, and communities across central Texas, with the all-girls summer retreat Camp Mystic taking the brunt of the destruction.
Camp Mystic, nestled southwest of Hunt, Texas, was one of the hardest-hit sites. At least 27 individuals from the camp, including staff and campers, were initially reported missing. The water swept away cabins, vehicles, and bridges, leaving parts of the camp isolated and submerged. Panic spread as thunderclaps jolted young girls awake, many of whom had no emergency training or time to prepare.
