LATEST: Camp Mystic CCTV Records Two Girls Walking Toward Emergency Exit—Then Step Into Darkness 60 Seconds Before Floodwaters Surged
In a chilling new development in the aftermath of the catastrophic flash floods that devastated Central Texas on July 4, 2025, recently reviewed CCTV footage from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls, shows two missing campers walking toward an emergency exit just 60 seconds before floodwaters surged through the camp. The footage, which captures the girls stepping into darkness before disappearing from view, has intensified the search for survivors and deepened the anguish of families still awaiting news. This article explores the details of the CCTV footage, the ongoing rescue efforts, the context of the floods, and the emotional toll of this tragedy.
The Devastating Floods at Camp Mystic
On July 4, 2025, torrential rains triggered unprecedented flash flooding along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, Texas, claiming at least 121 lives and leaving 173 people missing as of July 11, 2025. Camp Mystic, a nearly century-old Christian summer camp in Hunt, Texas, was among the hardest-hit sites, with 27 campers and counselors confirmed dead and five girls and one counselor still unaccounted for. The camp, which was hosting approximately 750 girls aged 7 to 17, saw its cabins inundated as the Guadalupe River rose over 20 feet in less than two hours, washing away buildings, personal belongings, and lives.
The discovery of the CCTV footage follows other recent developments, including a brief cell phone signal detected near a riverbed on July 10 and the finding of a prayer box containing a torn photograph and a message reading, “We’re still here,” left by two missing girls. Together, these clues have refocused search efforts on specific areas of the camp and the surrounding riverbanks, offering faint hope amid a landscape of loss.
The CCTV Footage: A Haunting Clue
On July 10, 2025, authorities reviewing security footage from Camp Mystic discovered a critical piece of evidence: a grainy video from a camera positioned near the camp’s recreation hall, showing two girls walking toward an emergency exit at approximately 1:58 a.m. on July 4, just 60 seconds before floodwaters surged through the camp. The girls, believed to be two of the five missing campers, are seen moving quickly, clutching each other’s hands as they approach the exit. The footage cuts off as they step into the darkness outside, with no further trace of their movements.
The timing of the footage is significant, as it places the girls near the emergency exit moments before the Guadalupe River overflowed its banks, sending a wall of water through the camp. The recreation hall, located on slightly higher ground than some of the cabins in the flood-prone “Flats” area, was one of the last structures to be inundated. Investigators believe the girls may have been attempting to reach higher ground or follow an evacuation route, possibly guided by a counselor or acting on their own initiative. The identities of the girls have not been released to protect their families’ privacy, but authorities are cross-referencing the footage with descriptions of the missing campers.
The brief clip has raised critical questions: Did the girls make it to safety before the floodwaters hit, or were they swept away in the chaos? Could they have sought refuge in a nearby structure or tree, as some survivors did? Search teams have intensified efforts around the recreation hall and the emergency exit’s vicinity, using drones, sonar, and K9 units to probe the debris-laden riverbanks and wooded areas.
Challenges in the Search
The search for the missing girls and counselor remains a daunting task. The Guadalupe River’s rapid rise left behind a chaotic landscape of mud, fallen trees, and scattered debris, complicating efforts to locate survivors or remains. Downed power lines, washed-out roads, and spotty cellphone service have further hindered operations, which involve over 1,000 state responders, 14 helicopters, and 12 drones. The area near the emergency exit, where the girls were last seen, is particularly treacherous, with unstable ground and submerged hazards posing risks to rescue teams.
The recent cell phone signal detected on July 10, which pinged for 17 seconds near a riverbed, and the prayer box found near the recreation hall suggest that survivors may have been in the area shortly after the flood. However, the fleeting nature of these clues—combined with the lack of additional footage or signals—has made it difficult to pinpoint the girls’ fate. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has vowed to continue the search “until every missing person is accounted for,” with federal support from the U.S. Coast Guard and FEMA.
The Emotional Weight of the Footage
The CCTV footage has sent shockwaves through the Camp Mystic community, where families, former campers, and counselors are grappling with grief and uncertainty. The image of two young girls walking hand-in-hand toward an uncertain fate has become a symbol of the tragedy’s human toll. On X, posts reflect the public’s anguish, with one user writing, “Those girls were so close to safety, just seconds away. It’s unbearable to think what happened next.”
The footage also underscores the bravery of the campers and counselors who faced the flood’s terror. Survivors have recounted stories of counselors leading girls to higher ground, singing hymns to keep them calm, and even carrying younger campers to safety. One mother, speaking to CNN, described how counselors helped her daughters escape through cabin windows as water rose, calling them “heroes.” The CCTV footage suggests that the two girls may have been acting on similar instincts, attempting to flee the rising waters.
Questions About Preparedness
The tragedy has sparked renewed scrutiny of Camp Mystic’s emergency preparedness and the broader flood warning systems in Kerr County. Records show that the Texas Department of State Health Services approved the camp’s emergency plan just two days before the flood, but the details of the plan remain undisclosed. The camp’s location in a known flood zone, with cabins in the hazardous “Flats” area, has raised concerns about whether adequate measures were in place to evacuate campers in time.
Local officials have faced criticism for the lack of a robust flood warning system. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly stated, “No one knew this kind of flood was coming,” highlighting the absence of sirens or timely alerts. Reports indicate that the county had previously been denied funding for a warning system, a decision now under review as the region grapples with the disaster’s fallout.
Stories of Loss and Heroism
The floods have left a trail of heartbreak, with victims including 8-year-old twin sisters Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence, 9-year-old Lila Bonner, and Camp Mystic director Richard “Dick” Eastland, who died attempting to save campers. Survivors’ stories, however, highlight remarkable courage. Some girls climbed to rafters or swam to safety, while others were airlifted by helicopters. A night security guard, Glenn Juenke, saved campers by placing them on mattresses to float above the rising waters, earning praise as a hero.
The CCTV footage, prayer box, and cell phone signal have become focal points for a community desperate for answers. The message “We’re still here” found in the prayer box, combined with the image of the girls heading toward the emergency exit, fuels hope that they may have survived the initial surge. Yet, as days pass, the likelihood of finding survivors dims, and the search has increasingly shifted to recovery.
Looking Forward: A Community in Mourning
The CCTV footage has galvanized search efforts, with teams focusing on the area around the recreation hall and emergency exit. The discovery of the prayer box nearby suggests that the girls may have been in the vicinity after the flood, but the torn photograph and cryptic message leave more questions than answers. Authorities are analyzing the footage for additional clues, such as clothing or distinguishing features, to confirm the girls’ identities and trace their possible path.
The tragedy has prompted calls for improved flood preparedness across Texas, particularly in the Hill Country, known as “Flash Flood Alley.” Proposals for sirens, better forecasting, and stricter regulations for camps in flood zones are gaining traction. For now, the Camp Mystic community holds vigils, with memorials of sunflowers and pink ribbons growing in Kerrville. The footage of the two girls, stepping into the darkness just moments before the flood, remains a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring hope for closure.
In conclusion, the CCTV footage from Camp Mystic offers a critical but heart-wrenching clue in the search for the missing girls. As rescue teams continue their relentless efforts, the image of two young campers walking toward an emergency exit captures the courage and uncertainty of that fateful night. For the families, the Camp Mystic community, and the people of Texas, the search continues, driven by the faint hope that those who stepped into the darkness may yet be found.