The Texas flood disaster struck Camp Mystic with devastating force, tragically claiming the lives of at least 27 young campers.
Now, two courageous teenage counselors, Silvana Garza and María Paula, are opening up about the harrowing ordeal they faced—and the unimaginable decision they had to make as floodwaters rose relentlessly around them.
During the catastrophic Texas floods, which have claimed over 100 lives and left dozens missing, approximately 750 children were attending the private Christian summer camp for girls along the banks of the Guadalupe River.
Silvana Garza Valdez and María Paula Zárate were stationed at Camp Mystic’s Cypress Lake site when survivors from the main camp began arriving, fleeing the fast-approaching floodwaters.
In a desperate bid to protect the girls in their care, Silvana and María Paula made the heart-wrenching choice to write the names of each child directly on their bodies — a grim precaution in case the raging waters swept them away, ensuring their identities would not be lost in the chaos.
“We started writing our names on our skin—anywhere visible,” María told Mexican news outlet NMas. “Then we did the same for the girls, marking their names where they could be easily seen.”
This grim act was a desperate measure—a way to ensure the campers’ and counselors’ identities would be known if the floodwaters swept them away and separated them from their families.
Despite the terror unfolding around them, the counselors fought to shield the girls from panic.
“We were told to put on a happy face so we wouldn’t scare the kids,” Silvana recalled.
As evacuation preparations began, emotions ran high.
“We told the girls to pack their bags and bring their favorite stuffed animals,” Silvana said. “We hoped for safety, but feared the worst.”
Uncertainty loomed. “We didn’t know if we were going to be evacuated or not,” she added. “We were just waiting.”
When evacuation orders finally came, chaos erupted.
“All the girls started to go crazy,” Silvana remembered. “Some were crying because they didn’t want to leave, others were desperate to see their parents. It was indescribable—something truly awful.”
At the time of the flood, the girls didn’t have their cell phones and were not immediately informed about the tragic deaths. Silvana admitted she didn’t fully comprehend the disaster’s magnitude until they were finally evacuated.
During a news conference Tuesday morning, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed that five campers and one counselor remain missing as search and rescue teams tirelessly continue their efforts. Kerrville spokesperson Jonathan Lamb noted that the last live rescue took place on Friday.
A Massive Response: 1,500 State Workers Mobilized
In a heartfelt statement, Camp Mystic shared, “Our hearts are broken alongside the families enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly.”
The camp also expressed profound gratitude to the community and the brave first responders risking everything in the rescue efforts.
“We ask for your continued prayers, respect, and privacy for each of our affected families,” the statement concluded. “May the Lord continue to wrap His presence around all of us.”
The catastrophic floods have spurred a massive emergency response. Governor Greg Abbott reported that over 1,500 state workers have been deployed to the hardest-hit areas, joining the ongoing rescue and recovery operations.
As rescue teams tirelessly comb through the floodwaters, the nation holds its breath—united in hope and prayer for the families shattered by this heartbreaking tragedy.