The devastation after the flooding in Texas is hard to grasp. The death toll has risen to 81 across six counties, and at the girls’ summer camp, Camp Mystic, 27 campers and counselors are being mourned. But within the tragedy, heroes have risen. One of them, Camp Mystic counselor Emma Foltz, is now being praised for saving the lives of 14 campers.
More than 80 people have lost their lives in the catastrophic flash flood in Texas. The Guadalupe River flooded near Kerrville, causing widespread damage, and President Donald Trump has signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County. Rescue missions to try to locate and save people still missing are underway.
The Christian girls’ camp, Camp Mystic, was heavily affected by the flooding. The camp has confirmed that at least 27 attendees and counselors died, and many are still missing.
“Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly,” the camp wrote in a statement on their website, adding that they are in contact with local authorities, continuing the search for “missing girls.”
They said they are in communication with local authorities who are continuing to search for “missing girls.”
“We ask for your continued prayers, respect, and privacy for each of our families affected. May the Lord continue to wrap His presence around all of us,” the statement ended.
Texas floods survivor gives haunting recollection
Speaking to CNN, Amanda Sue Jones, who managed to escape the Texas flood with her family on the Fourth of July, has given a haunting recollection of what happened. She said the floodwater rose extremely fast and that it unfolded “in a matter of minutes from when it was just quiet, everyone was just asleep, to lights coming on slowly in the cabins and campers to them just being washed away.”
“It was just immeasurably fast,” she told CNN. “Everything seemed fine. There wasn’t a lot of hustling and bustling; it wasn’t a stressful situation at that point. But then again, nobody could really see the water past where this little bridge was and it’s almost like a wall of water came through.”
Sue Jones continued, “Where we were camping, we were about 20 yards from a fork, like a little tributary of the river. And that’s what we were monitoring because we’re so close to it and it was well within its banks for the longest time, even throughout the night. It was rising but still within its banks, but then as soon as it started getting into the grass and out of the banks, that’s when the decision was made (to leave).”
On Sunday, reports about people trying to save others but dying themselves emerged. The community has come together in the face of this unimaginable tragedy, and while there is devastation, grief, and sorrow, there are also stories about heroes.
Camp Mystic counselor Emma Foltz saves 14 campers’ lives
Through his X account, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry wrote about and expressed his gratitude to one individual, Emma Foltz. She was a counselor at the girls’ summer camp and saved 14 campers. She had been working there for three years.
Raised in Alexandria, Louisiana, she is currently a senior at Louisiana Tech in Ruston, Louisiana.
“She played an instrumental role in helping evacuate 14 of her campers to safety,” Gov. Landry wrote on X. “Please join me in thanking Emma for all her hard work and bravery under immense pressure.”
According to the Facebook post, Foltz has served as a counselor at Camp Mystic in Hunt for three years. She was raised in Alexandria, Louisiana, and is currently a senior at Louisiana Tech in Ruston, Louisiana.
“Hero”
In the comment section, people praised Emma for her heroic effort.
“Thank you for your quick thinking and for saving the children. May God Bless you abundantly & may your family in Louisiana shine with admiration ! Blessings to you and prayers for all those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy,” one user wrote.
“Bless her. I know the rescued counselors will need great comfort,” another said.
A third person simply called her a “hero,” while a fourth continued, “Thank you, Emma! May God continue to bless your life for showing such bravery and resilience in such an unfathomable situation. You saved 14 little girls lives and that can never be repaid. I hope the state of Louisiana honors you in a big way!”
A fifth person wrote,” God bless this wonderful, brave and amazing young lady!”
Let’s all share this article and honor Emma for her heroic effort. Also, all our thoughts and prayers go out to the affected victims and families.
