A quick response by the facilities manager at a central Texas summer camp led to timely evacuations ahead of deadly flash floods that swamped a road crossing the Llano River on Friday, blocking access to pedestrians and vehicles alike. At least 79 people lost their lives in the disaster, with many others still unaccounted for.
Camp officials acted swiftly after witnessing rising water from the Guadalupe River around 1 a.m. on the Fourth of July. They relocated about 70 children and adults staying overnight in a building near the river to higher ground, avoiding a catastrophe that hit another camp near Hunt. The swift decision was made despite an absence of warning by local authorities.
Mo-Ranch Assembly, where an intercultural youth conference had been called off earlier, was not affected by flooding due to its location on higher ground. Camp leaders, including President and CEO Tim Huchton, were able to avoid the disaster that struck at least one other camp in the area.
Local authorities have faced scrutiny for their handling of the situation, with some questioning how much warning they provided to the public. Officials have said they did not expect such an intense downpour, equivalent to months’ worth of rain for the area.
In contrast, Mo-Ranch suffered no loss of life and received no direct information from county officials about flooding that could take lives. Camp staff contacted children’s parents by 7 a.m. Friday, informing them their kids were safe, and ensured every single guest was accounted for. The camp remained closed Sunday as the community worked on ways to help other camps affected by the flood.
“We’re in a difficult place because others are really suffering,” said Lisa Winters, communications director for Mo-Ranch. “We’re a sisterhood of camps. We take care of each other.”
Source: https://apnews.com/article/texas-floods-summer-camp-evacuation-a1cbf5cfa768b0869e5e299b8f7dfccf