On the early morning of July 4th, as rain poured down in central Texas, a facilities manager at a local summer camp noticed the Guadalupe River swelling dangerously. Aroldo Barrera quickly alerted his superior, who had been keeping an eye on weather reports, especially after a nearby youth conference was called off just hours earlier.
Taking matters into their own hands, camp officials decided to relocate around 70 children and adults who were staying in a building close to the river. Thanks to their swift actions, including guidance from President and CEO Tim Huchton, they were able to prevent what could have been a tragic incident, unlike another nearby camp that faced severe flooding.
Lisa Winters, the communications director for Mo-Ranch, shared, “They helped them pack up and got them to higher ground.”
Tragically, not all areas were as fortunate. Flash floods struck the Texas Hill Country, taking a devastating toll on the landscape and resulting in at least 79 confirmed deaths, with several individuals, including 10 girls from a neighboring camp, still unaccounted for. Rescue teams worked tirelessly in the days following the disaster to find those missing.
Many camp leaders and local residents expressed frustration over the lack of official warnings about the impending floods. Local authorities have come under scrutiny for their response, with questions lingering about how much information they could have provided to the public. For now, their focus remains on rescue efforts. Officials admitted they did not foresee the intense rain that fell, equating the downpour to several months’ worth of rain for the region.
Despite their close proximity to disaster, Mo-Ranch recorded no fatalities. Winters mentioned that they had received no direct alerts from county officials regarding the imminent flooding. “We had no warning this was coming,” she said, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in monitoring weather conditions.
By the morning of the flood, camp staff had reached out to parents to inform them that their children were safe. “We wanted to reassure them given the alarming media coverage,” Winters explained. Fortunately, Mo-Ranch, which is positioned on higher ground, did face some damage but managed to fare better than many others in the area.
Reflecting on the destruction, Winters stated, “The buildings don’t matter. I can’t imagine losing children or people.” The sight of a sturdy kayak wrapped around a tree illustrated the sheer force of the water that rushed through the area.
As of Sunday, the camp remained closed, but Mo-Ranch was exploring ways to assist other camps that were impacted by the floods. “We’re in a difficult place because others are really suffering,” Winters noted, her voice filled with emotion. “We’re a sisterhood of camps, and we take care of each other.”
