Update – Miracle in the Floodwaters: Camp Mystic Survivor Shares Harrowing Tale
A 16-year-old camper who survived the devastating flash flood at Camp Mystic in Central Texas has shared her harrowing experience. Callie McAlary, who was rescued from the camp, described the night as catastrophic, with lightning striking next to her cabin and water rushing in unexpectedly. “We went to bed thinking it was just a normal thunderstorm,” McAlary said on ‘Fox Report.’ “One minute you see lightning strike next to your cabin, and next to you, you hear water’s coming up.” McAlary’s mother, Tara Bradburn, reflected on the tragic flooding, expressing gratitude for the heroic efforts of the camp staff and counselors who risked their lives to save the children.
A Story of Bravery and Resilience
McAlary’s story is one of bravery and resilience. As the floodwaters rose, she and her fellow campers were forced to scramble to safety. In a remarkable display of quick thinking, McAlary attached a name tag to her body in case she was swept away by the floodwaters. Her mother, Bradburn, praised the camp staff and counselors, saying, “They are heroes. And those young girls and those young counselors that our young girls were under for the summer were remarkable and were brave and were strong and saved so many children and kept so many children calm so that decisions could be made to keep other girls safe and move them to safety.” The camp’s director, Dick Eastland, tragically lost his life while trying to save the children.
A Community in Mourning
As the search for missing campers continues, the community is coming together to support the families affected by the tragedy. McAlary is holding on to hope that her friends and all those who are missing will be found soon. “I really hope those kids that are missing are found,” she said. “I knew a lot of those kids and a lot of those kids the night before hugged me before we all went to bed. And it’s hard to think about that one minute they were hugging me and the next minute they could be gone.” The incident has raised questions about the safety measures in place at the camp and the preparedness of the authorities to respond to such emergencies.
