TX TX-Hunt, Overnight flooding at Camp Mystic, all girls camp. Unknown number of missing. July 4, 2025

[MissPie]

except for power outages in Texas. It rains, we lose power. It freezes, we lose power. It's too hot, we lose power. CenterPointless we call it here. No power = no cell phones (cell tower goes down too), no tv, no radio.

This is why our family got ham radio licenses. It was remarkably helpful getting local information during Hurricane Helene here in NC when all the internet, cell and power was down.

P.S. I’m a technical dummy and I was able to pass the test and learn to use the radio

 

[Betty P]

except for power outages in Texas. It rains, we lose power. It freezes, we lose power. It's too hot, we lose power. CenterPointless we call it here. No power = no cell phones (cell tower goes down too), no tv, no radio.

That's a shame, but it happens in every state and community. If you have a cell phone that is charged, you can still get a cell phone signal, though, right?

 

[Marfe]

This is why our family got ham radio licenses. It was remarkably helpful getting local information during Hurricane Helene here in NC when all the internet, cell and power was down.

P.S. I’m a technical dummy and I was able to pass the test and learn to use the radio

I'll have to look into it, thank you for the tip! in the meantime we rely on this radio here: emergency radio

 

[MissPie]

I'll have to look into it, thank you for the tip! in the meantime we rely on this radio here: emergency radio

Those are GREAT for weather emergencies and updates.

 

[Marfe]

That's a shame, but it happens in every state and community. If you have a cell phone that is charged, you can still get a cell phone signal, though, right?

During the last few power outages here no. If there is no electricity, the cell towers also lose power so you don't get cell service. We have the utmost respect for the linemen that come over to fix those issues. That's another topic, but days with no electricity (so no fridge/freezer, no clean water because water filtration systems are down, no AC in over 100 fahrenheit weather..) is terrible and causes lots of issues too. Not sure if they have power restored everywhere in the flooded areas. I'll have to try and find out.

 

[Quill]

I highly recommend people have NOAA ER weather alert radios with batteries. You cannot rely on cell reception. In recreation areas these are especially important. imo

This!! We have one and it is necessary where we live.

 

[browneyes]

Water is a force of nature that sometimes cannot be prepared for. Showing my age as I have a few memories of my late dad spending days searching for survivors/victims. He worked for DuPont, but volunteered. It came at night and struck so quickly.
Hurricane Camille (August 1969) - Encyclopedia Virginia

Prayers to all involved.

 

[Stunned]

Perhaps not, but then when? When time has passed and people say, "Oh this was a once in a hundred-years event, it won't happen again?" When next year around this time an even worse flood happens? Are they going to rebuild that camp on the same banks that just flooded and say, it won't happen again?

When the last persons body has been found. Then you can rage. IMO.

 

[Betty P]

Water is a force of nature that sometimes cannot be prepared for. Showing my age as I have a few memories of my late dad spending days searching for survivors/victims. He worked for DuPont, but volunteered. It came at night and struck so quickly.
Hurricane Camille (August 1969) - Encyclopedia Virginia

Prayers to all involved.

I remember Camille, following it on the news. We lived in the midwest, but experienced weather from it. Rainy and chilly in early August was unusual.

Fortunately, today people can be warned earlier. We do have such extreme weather these days, though.

 

[Betty P]

During the last few power outages here no. If there is no electricity, the cell towers also lose power so you don't get cell service. We have the utmost respect for the linemen that come over to fix those issues. That's another topic, but days with no electricity (so no fridge/freezer, no clean water because water filtration systems are down, no AC in over 100 fahrenheit weather..) is terrible and causes lots of issues too. Not sure if they have power restored everywhere in the flooded areas. I'll have to try and find out.

We've had some of those power outages lately, too, that last days or even a week. There were brownouts in our area last week and the temperatures weren't all that high. More people are getting generators.

 

[browneyes]

We've had some of those power outages lately, too, that last days or even a week. There were brownouts in our area last week and the temperatures weren't all that high. More people are getting generators.

I’m considering having a generator installed. The power was out for a few days due to storms and I lost power, internet, cable and a lot of food. I’m getting too old for this.

 

[Jade]

The Hill Country Camp Mystic charming, bucolic, where the well to do are truly breathing rarified air was woefully negligent in protecting the young campers and staff that were sleeping literal feet from the water course whose natural system carries storm water run off from the hard packed soil and the Escarpments in flash floods, imo.

No expense should have been spared in installing a private warning system.

Private strobe and alarm systems are widely used in my area. When a water level preprogramed meets the sensor the alarm system activates with sirens and strobes.

Good and well to have community warning systems for all in the area.

But a private warning system is essential for a sleep away camp for young children who are to be sleeping feet from the river, imo. Then they can enact their drill for safety at a more advanced time due to the number of children to be evacuated to a predetermined higher ground.

If the camp were just a couple nights once over the summer but this was a business with a long season increasing the odds of having a storm water event.

There was a terrible flash flood at a camp ground near me and a Hummer that had its exhaust on the roof plowed its way out of the flooded canyon saving the load full.

Even one could safely ferry out campers.

The warning is not just for severe events as this as any flash flood in such a vulnerable setting could cause death and destruction.

All imo

 

[jillolantern]

There is discussion here suggesting that people living, working, or being in the so-called Flash Flood Alley should simply move. No big deal. IMO that idea is short-sighted if not outright silly.
One must recognize that this is not a small, isolated zone that people can simply leave, like moving across the street. Flash Flood Alley is a vast region, stretching across central Texas and encompassing major metropolitan areas such as San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and Waco. Its boundaries roughly follow the Balcones Escarpment, a significant geological feature that creates conditions for intense rainfall and rapid runoff, making the area especially prone to flash flooding.

Here is a graphic from the first source cited below where I have drawn in Flash Flood Alley (blue) and roughly outlined the state boundaries of Texas (black) that are on this view of the map.

source: https://rrpress.utsa.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/2f503ec6-ead9-4ee9-bf55-531561abd291/content

One can see on the map how vast this area is. Its comparable in scale to Tornado Alley—it covers thousands of square miles and includes millions of residents, businesses, and critical infrastructure. Suggesting that everyone should move out of such a large and economically vital area is neither realistic nor practical. The region’s unique geography, including shallow soils, rocky terrain, and thin vegetation, reduces the land’s ability to absorb water, which contributes to the flash flood risk. However, these same features also make the area attractive and support a vibrant way of life, with natural beauty, cultural attractions, and economic opportunities.

Living in Flash Flood Alley is not a matter of poor judgement, but rather a reality for a substantial portion of Texas’ population. It would not be any more feasible to just exit this area than to exit Florida because of hurricane risk or San Francisco because of earthquake risk. Perhaps the focus should be on improving public awareness, investing in early warning systems, and adopting smart development and infrastructure planning to mitigate risk instead of blaming residents for living or campers for recreating in a region that is both geographically extensive and economically crucial.

Here are some additional sources for those interested.

1. What is flash flood alley and what do Texans in its path face?
2. How can the next disaster in flash flood alley be prevented?
3. What is Flash Flood Alley? Explaining Texas' most flood-prone region
4. https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/flash-flood-alley-in-texas/1169663
5. Do you live in Flash Flood Alley? | TWRI
6. Why Central Texas is known as 'Flash Flood Alley'
7. http://www.expressnews.com/san-anto...-flood-alley-landscape-explained-18703239.php

 

[iamshadow21]

Sorry. Graphic designer/artist here

No problem. You didn't do anything 'wrong', there's just a very good reason to keep it a bit messy at this point. Misinformation is a greater sin than untidiness when we're listing the known dead, especially when a large proportion of those in the list are kids. We don't want to give a casual reader confusion, false hope, or grief. I hope you didn't feel I was being too stern with you. I wasn't annoyed or anything, and it wasn't a problem with you, personally, at all. You just wanted to make the list easier to read, and that's a reasonable thing. No harm done.

MOO

 

[pandorasbox]

There is discussion here suggesting that people living, working, or being in the so-called Flash Flood Alley should simply move. No big deal. IMO that idea is short-sighted if not outright silly.

That would be ridiculous to suggest everyone in central Texas to move; I'm not sure if you mean me, but I'm not suggesting that at all. I'm just suggesting that don't build cabins and put kids to sleep in the floodway. A lovely spot for sports, an amphitheater, hiking or a picnic. The floodway is not that entire strip of central Texas. There is land nearby that appears undeveloped that would be significantly safer for cabins.

 

[mickey2942]

I’m considering having a generator installed. The power was out for a few days due to storms and I lost power, internet, cable and a lot of food. I’m getting too old for this.

I have considered a generator as well. But they take fuel, and I really don't want to have that many cans of gas in the garage. And when you need a generator, gas stations are not usually open, or they don't have electricity to pump gas.

 

[CrimeDawg123]

Texas is >96% private property. So as much as we'd like these areas to be changed to parkland or preserves with no residences so these tragedies won't occur again, that will never happen. (Unless perhaps the landowner leaves some of it to an organization like the Nature Conservancy.) This is some of the most valuable land in the state.

Judging by past floods, the structures will be rebuilt, but might be required to be elevated. That's been the case quite often. (I doubt at Camp Mystic with so many lost, I'm more thinking of the other properties.)

 

[Eli9]

I’m considering having a generator installed. The power was out for a few days due to storms and I lost power, internet, cable and a lot of food. I’m getting too old for this.

After the winter storm where we lost the power grid I put in place many measures to help in winter storms. bought butane burners,fuel, extra propane for the grill, camp coffee percolators and extra cell chargers that can also work off my power equipment. i hadn't thought about about power failures during the summer when its hot and humid. i'm rethinking that now.

 

[acutename]

I have considered a generator as well. But they take fuel, and I really don't want to have that many cans of gas in the garage. And when you need a generator, gas stations are not usually open, or they don't have electricity to pump gas.

1. propane
2. electric
3. the other use for an electric car- power appliances off the battery
(of course if you are going to be under 10 ft of water, all bets are off)

 

[browneyes]

I have considered a generator as well. But they take fuel, and I really don't want to have that many cans of gas in the garage. And when you need a generator, gas stations are not usually open, or they don't have electricity to pump gas.

I’m no expert, but you don’t need gas from a station.

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