A young camper who was rescued from Camp Mystic described the harrowing ordeal as catastrophic floods pummeled Central Texas.
“We went to bed thinking it was just a routine thunderstorm. One moment you’re watching lightning strike near your cabin, and the next moment, you hear water rising,” 16-year-old Callie McAlary shared on ‘Fox Report.’
“And there are kids running, trying to reach other cabins, aiming for safety. Fortunately, my cabin was one of the few that remained dry, but the cabins in front of us did experience some flooding,” McAlary added.
McAlary’s mother, Tara Bradburn, also commented on the devastating flooding, noting that even though they now live in Virginia, the camp had been integral to their lives since McAlary had been attending it from second grade.
Debris and damage in Camp Mystic cabin split with a photo of Dick Eastland (REUTERS/Sergio Flores; LeslieEastland/Facebook)
“This was not an environment we had ever thought we would have to prepare her for. That comment to me as a parent when she got off that helicopter and finally came into my arms and I saw this name tag on her, and it was the camp name tag she was issued on the day she arrived. It resonated with me that somewhere those little lessons that we gave her as parents years ago and throughout her life resonated with her in that moment,” Bradburn said.
Despite her daughter being alive and safe, Bradburn said they are devastated for so many families that are missing loved ones.
“There are no answers. This is a lot emotionally for anyone. And it’s something as parents, we owe our child to try to be strong for her and to ensure that she also has the help she needs moving forward,” Bradburn said.
McAlary said she is now holding on to hope that the rest of her friends and all those who are missing are found soon.
“I really hope those kids that are missing are found. I knew a lot of those kids and a lot of those kids the night before hugged me before we all went to bed. And it’s hard to think about that one minute they were hugging me and the next minute they could be gone.”
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com
