The Texas flood disaster struck Camp Mystic with deadly force, killing at least 27 campers and leaving many more missing.
Two surviving counselors, Silvana Garza Valdez and María Paula Zárate, are now speaking out about the horror they endured while caring for young girls as floodwaters rose.
With about 750 children at the Christian girls’ camp along the Guadalupe River, chaos erupted when floodwaters surged. Silvana and María, stationed at the Cypress Lake site, made a heartbreaking decision: they wrote the campers’ names on their bodies in case they were swept away, so they could be identified.
“We did the same for the girls,” María told Mexican news outlet NMas.
To avoid panic, the counselors put on brave faces and told the girls to pack their bags and stuffed animals for possible evacuation.
“All the girls started to go crazy,” Silvana recalled. “Some cried, others begged for their parents.”
Without phones or news access, the campers were unaware of the full tragedy until much later.
As of Tuesday, five campers and one counselor remain missing. Over 1,500 state workers are aiding in rescue efforts.
Camp Mystic said in a statement: “Our hearts are broken… We ask for prayers, respect, and privacy.”