Camp Mystic Counselor Chloe Childress Among Victims of Texas Flood Disaster

Chloe Childress, a counselor at Camp Mystic, was killed during the devastating flooding in Hunt, Texas, over the holiday weekend, according to a representative of her high school.

Chloe Childress, a recently graduated high school senior and counselor at Camp Mystic, was confirmed among those killed in the devastating flash floods that struck Hunt, Texas, over the Fourth of July weekend. She was one of at least 11 young campers and staff members at the all-girls summer camp who lost their lives when the Guadalupe River surged with unprecedented force.

Childress had graduated earlier this year from The Kinkaid School and was preparing to attend the University of Texas at Austin in the fall. Known for her leadership and compassion, she served as co-president of the school’s honor council, ran on the varsity cross-country team, and founded a club dedicated to supporting senior citizens.

Flood waters left debris including vehicles and equipment scattered in Louise Hays Park on July 5, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas.

Jonathan Eades, head of The Kinkaid School, paid tribute to Childress in a letter to the school community, describing her as someone who "had a remarkable way of making people feel seen" and who possessed a "steady compassion that settled a room." He emphasized that she died “upholding this selfless and fierce commitment to others.”

“A loyal and beloved friend to all who knew her, Chloe led with empathy. Her honesty gave others the courage to speak up. Her resilience helped others push through. Her joy, so present in all the little things, reminded all who knew her to keep showing up with heart,” Eades wrote.

Catastrophic flooding from heavy rainfall overwhelmed Texas Hill Country over the holiday weekend, killing at least 80 people statewide, according to state officials. Kerr County, where Camp Mystic is located, suffered the greatest loss, with 68 confirmed deaths, including 28 children. Dozens remain missing.

A view of Camp Mystic, the site of where at least 20 girls went missing after flash flooding in Hunt, Texas, on July 5, 2025.

The Guadalupe River, which borders Camp Mystic, rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes—an astonishing surge that officials said surpassed levels recorded during the deadly 1987 flood. The river’s violent rise caught many by surprise and overwhelmed areas known for their summer camps and riverfront communities.

Camp Mystic, home to about 750 campers and counselors when the flood struck, was among several camps affected by the disaster. The camp sits in a low-lying region often referred to as “flash flood alley,” a location that became ground zero for the historic inundation. Search and rescue operations have been ongoing, with both state and federal authorities working around the clock.

As the community mourns the loss of Childress and other young lives, tributes continue to pour in for the students, staff, and families affected. Childress is being remembered not just for her academic and athletic accomplishments, but for the warmth and leadership she brought into every space she entered.