A security guard at Camp Mystic has delivered an emotional statement recounting how he used mattresses as makeshift rafts to rescue campers during the catastrophic Texas floods that claimed at least 82 lives statewide.
The Christian all-girls summer camp, located on the banks of the Guadalupe River in central Texas, was struck by flash floods in the early hours of Friday, July 4. Within just 45 minutes, floodwaters surged more than 26 feet (eight meters), destroying cabins and sweeping through the camp as dozens of girls slept inside.
Tragically, Camp Mystic has now confirmed that 27 campers and counselors lost their lives in the disaster.
“Camp Mystic is grieving the loss of 27 campers and counsellors following the catastrophic flooding on the Guadalupe river,” a statement on the camp’s website reads.
“Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly.”
The camp also expressed deep gratitude for the search and rescue efforts still underway and asked for privacy and prayers.
“We have been in communication with local and state authorities who are tirelessly deploying extensive resources to search for our missing girls,” the statement continues. “May the Lord continue to wrap His presence around all of us.”
The Night Watchman Who Became a Lifesaver
Among the stories of bravery to emerge is that of Glenn Juenke, the camp’s night security guard, who is being hailed a hero after saving numerous girls from the rising waters.
Speaking to CNN, Juenke described the terrifying moments when water rushed into a building known as the Wiggle Inn, where campers were sleeping.
“I witnessed firsthand the courage and faith that your daughters displayed during some of the most terrifying moments of their young lives,” he said.
With the water rising rapidly, Juenke acted quickly, placing the girls onto mattresses to help them float and stay together through the chaos.
“Each of those sweet girls was cold, wet, and frightened—but they were also incredibly brave,” he recalled. “They trusted me, and we leaned on each other through a long, harrowing night together inside their cabin.”
Search Continues for the Missing
Rescue teams are still searching for 10 missing children and one counselor from Camp Mystic. The broader toll of the floods across Texas continues to climb:
68 deaths reported in Kerr County alone, where Camp Mystic is located
5 deaths in Travis County
3 in Burnet County
2 each in Williamson and Kendall Counties
1 in Tom Green County
Camp director Dick Eastland is among those confirmed dead.
As families grieve and emergency crews continue their search efforts, the story of Glenn Juenke and the campers’ bravery offers a glimmer of humanity amid unspeakable loss.