In what is now being called one of the most heartbreaking natural disasters in recent Texas history, the final death toll from the devastating floods that struck Camp Mystic is expected to exceed 100. Among the deceased: all the young girls who were attending the beloved summer camp, nestled quietly along the Guadalupe River.
The peaceful setting of Camp Mystic, a decades-old summer tradition for generations of Texas families, became the epicenter of unimaginable sorrow. In the early hours of July 4, a flash flood, triggered by unprecedented rainfall, surged through the riverbanks, tearing through cabins and sweeping away dozens of campers and counselors as they slept. Many of them were still in their beds when the water struck. Local officials say the wall of water rose nearly 25 feet in just under an hour — giving residents and campers little time to react.
Despite frantic rescue efforts that continued for days, today, authorities confirmed what many had feared: all the girls unaccounted for have now been found. None survived.
The names are still being withheld out of respect for families, but a sheriff’s spokesperson confirmed that more than 36 young girls — all under the age of 17 — perished in the floods at Camp Mystic alone. When combined with other casualties from surrounding areas in Kerr County and Central Texas, the official statewide death toll has now reached 98, with more victims likely to be discovered in the coming days.
A State in Mourning
Across Texas and the nation, grief has spread like the very waters that caused this catastrophe. Vigils have been held in town squares, church bells tolled in Kerrville, and flags fly at half-staff in Austin and across state buildings. Social media has become a tapestry of tributes: photographs of smiling young girls in Camp Mystic T-shirts, heartfelt messages from classmates, teachers, and strangers. One post read: “She was supposed to come home with friendship bracelets and stories of summer love. Instead, we got silence.”
Parents are grappling with the unthinkable. Some had only dropped off their daughters at the camp days before. “I held her for the last time in the parking lot,” said one tearful mother. “She waved and said, ‘See you in a week.’ And now I’ll never see her again.”
Many are now questioning whether the camp had sufficient warning systems in place, especially as experts had already predicted a high flood risk due to the week’s torrential storms. While investigations are ongoing, for now, the community is focused on mourning, recovery — and remembering the lives lost.
George Strait Steps In
As Texans struggled to make sense of this overwhelming tragedy, one of their own — country music legend George Strait — quietly stepped forward in a gesture that has brought solace to many.
Strait, a native of Poteet, Texas and beloved across generations for his humble persona and deeply emotional music, made a $500,000 donation to the families of the victims and to local search-and-rescue teams. He requested no press conference. No camera. Just action.
But what has moved the nation even more is the surprise release of a song that Strait wrote within hours of hearing the news: “River of Angels.” Released as an acoustic-only track on his social media pages and music platforms, the song has already racked up over 8 million views in less than 24 hours.
A Song That Speaks to the Soul
The track, hauntingly simple in its arrangement, opens with the soft pluck of a guitar and Strait’s unmistakable voice — raw and unfiltered.
“You danced where the water runs,
Now Heaven holds your song.
A thousand stars above the trees,
Shine down where you belong.”
The lyrics don’t name the victims directly. They don’t need to. Every word of River of Angels feels like a personal farewell, a collective elegy to the lost children of Camp Mystic and to every family shattered by the flood.
The refrain has already been quoted widely:
“You were light before the dawn,
A whisper in the storm.
And though the river took you fast,
Your love will always last.”
Music critics have called it “the most emotional song George Strait has ever recorded.” Fans are saying it reminds them of his 1986 classic “Baby Blue”, a song he once wrote after the death of his own daughter, Jenifer. But River of Angels feels different. It feels like a public prayer.
The Country Community Responds
Following Strait’s gesture, other country stars have expressed their solidarity. Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Luke Bryan, and Kacey Musgraves all reposted the song, with messages of grief and unity. Underwood wrote: “Tears. For every family grieving — you are not alone.”
A benefit concert is now being organized in Austin, with proceeds to go toward rebuilding Camp Mystic and supporting affected families. George Strait is expected to perform “River of Angels” live for the first time.
Rebuilding Faith After the Flood
While physical damage from the floods has been devastating — over 200 homes destroyed, dozens of roads washed away — it’s the emotional wounds that will take longest to heal. Camp Mystic, once a place of laughter, canoe races, and late-night campfires, is now surrounded by flowers, photos, and crosses.
But through the darkness, a small flame of resilience remains.
One father, who lost both his daughters at the camp, said through tears: “We may never understand why. But I believe they’re together, dancing in that river of angels George sang about. And that gives me just enough strength to face tomorrow.”
As Texas mourns, it also begins to rebuild — one note, one prayer, and one act of compassion at a time. And thanks to voices like George Strait’s, even the heaviest grief is met with grace, poetry, and love.
