The devastating floods that swept through Texas have left a trail of heartbreak across six counties. With the death toll rising to 81 and dozens still missing, communities are mourning—but stories of courage and heroism are also emerging from the wreckage.
One such story comes from Camp Mystic, a beloved Christian girls’ summer camp nestled along the Guadalupe River near Kerrville. The camp suffered unimaginable loss—27 campers and counselors confirmed dead, many still unaccounted for. But in the midst of chaos, one young woman made a life-saving difference.
Emma Foltz, a 21-year-old camp counselor from Alexandria, Louisiana, is being hailed as a hero for saving the lives of 14 campers as the floodwaters surged in the early morning hours of July 4th. Foltz, a senior at Louisiana Tech University, had spent three summers working at Camp Mystic and knew its grounds well—knowledge that likely saved lives.
According to Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, who praised her bravery on X (formerly Twitter), “Emma played an instrumental role in evacuating 14 of her campers to safety. Please join me in thanking her for her courage and composure under unimaginable pressure.”
A Camp in Crisis
Camp Mystic officials released a heart-wrenching statement on their website, writing:
“Our hearts are broken alongside our families enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly… May the Lord continue to wrap His presence around all of us.”
The floodwaters rose with terrifying speed. Survivors described being jolted from sleep by chaos, confusion, and eventually, disaster.
“I remember it being quiet… and then, within minutes, water was everywhere,” said Amanda Sue Jones, a mother who fled the rising river with her family. “It was like a wall of water hit. One moment we were asleep, the next we were running.”
A Community Mourns—and Honors Its Heroes
In the wake of such massive loss, the Camp Mystic community and beyond have rallied around acts of heroism like Emma Foltz’s. Comments flooded social media, praising her courage and instinct:
“You saved 14 little girls’ lives, and that can never be repaid,” wrote one user.
“God bless this brave and amazing young lady,” said another.
“May Louisiana honor you in a big way.”
As search and rescue missions continue, and families pray for miracles, stories like Emma’s offer a glimmer of light in a very dark time. She didn’t just do her job—she acted with selflessness, strength, and love when it mattered most.
Let’s continue to lift up all the victims, families, and rescue teams in our thoughts—and take a moment to honor the bravery of a young woman who proved that heroes don’t always wear capes. Sometimes, they wear camp T-shirts and carry flashlights through the flood.