Katherine Ferruzzo, a 19-year-old counselor, was confirmed dead after flash flooding struck Camp Mystic in the Texas Hill Country. The devastating floods claimed multiple lives and caused widespread destruction.
A devastating flash flood struck the Texas Hill Country on July 4, 2025, leaving destruction in its wake and claiming the life of a young counselor at Camp Mystic, a girls’ summer camp in Hunt, Texas. Katherine Ferruzzo, 19, was confirmed dead on Friday, July 11, after the floodwaters swept through the area. Her tragic passing follows days of intense search and recovery efforts.
Ferruzzo, a recent graduate of Memorial High School in Houston, had been preparing to attend the University of Texas at Austin this fall, where she planned to pursue a career in special education. Known for her compassionate nature and dedication to helping children with special needs, Ferruzzo had volunteered with various Houston-area organizations and played a key role in organizing Memorial High School’s first Unity Football game for students with special needs.
Her family expressed their gratitude for the search and rescue teams, volunteers, and Texas Rangers who worked tirelessly to locate her, and they thanked the Houston and Camp Mystic communities for their unwavering support. The family has requested privacy during their time of mourning and extended their condolences to the other families affected by the tragic floods.
The Devastating Flood
The flooding at Camp Mystic occurred in the early hours of July 4, following torrential rainfall that caused the Guadalupe River to rise dramatically—by 26 feet in just 45 minutes. The flash floods swept through the camp, submerging cabins and leaving the campgrounds in chaos. The camp, which houses girls from ages 7 and up, was unable to adequately prepare for the rapid rise in water levels, leading to confusion and fear among campers and staff.
At least 27 people, including campers and staff, were initially reported missing from the camp. Tragically, Ferruzzo was among the confirmed dead. Richard Eastland, the camp’s co-owner and director, was also killed while attempting to rescue children. “The whole community will miss him. He died a hero,” said local pastor Del Way, who knew Eastland’s family.
Amelia Moore, a 14-year-old camper, recalled the horrifying moments as the storm struck. “The thunderclap shook the cabin, and we heard screams as the water began to rise,” she said. Despite the camp’s proximity to emergency services, Moore shared that no emergency drills had prepared them for a flood of this magnitude. “Everybody thought flooding was a possibility, but we never got training,” she added.
Community Impact and Response
As the floodwaters ravaged the area, emergency services worked quickly to assist the survivors. However, recovery efforts have been complicated by the scale of the devastation. Along with Ferruzzo’s death, five campers and one adult remain unaccounted for, adding to the grief felt by the community.
Camp Mystic’s management released a statement expressing deep sorrow for the loss of lives, saying, “Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy.”
The flood also devastated the surrounding Texas Hill Country, where at least 107 people have been confirmed dead, including 56 adults and 31 children in Kerr County alone. Recovery teams continue to search for missing individuals, and investigations into the cause of the disaster and its aftermath are ongoing.
Federal and Local Response
The flood’s aftermath has raised concerns over emergency preparedness and the effectiveness of the response. Some critics pointed to job cuts at the National Weather Service (NWS), though the White House denied claims that federal budget cuts contributed to the disaster. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the flood “an act of God” and stated that the NWS had issued consistent warnings ahead of the storm.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick acknowledged that the region lacked flood sirens, a measure that has been debated for years but not funded. Patrick has expressed his support for implementing a flood warning system before the next summer season to better protect residents in flood-prone areas.
In the wake of the disaster, condolences have poured in from around the world. King Charles III of the United Kingdom sent a letter to President Trump, expressing his “profound sadness” and offering his deepest sympathy to the affected families.
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A Lasting Legacy
In honor of Katherine Ferruzzo’s memory and her commitment to helping others, her family announced plans to establish the Katherine Ferruzzo Legacy Foundation, which will focus on supporting children with special needs. Details for donations to the foundation will be shared in the coming weeks.
