Camp Mystic counselor credited with saving 14 girls during deadly Texas flood
Emma Foltz, a senior at Louisiana Tech, helped guide campers to safety as floodwaters tore through a girls’ summer camp in Kerrville
As flash floods swept through Camp Mystic in Kerrville, Texas, counselor Emma Foltz helped 14 young girls escape to safety—an act that has drawn praise amid a disaster that has claimed over 80 lives.
Torrential rainfall in Texas led to devastating flash floods across six counties, killing at least 81 people. Among the hardest-hit areas was the Guadalupe River near Kerrville, where water levels surged unexpectedly, overtaking local communities and summer camps.
One of those camps, Camp Mystic—a Christian summer camp for girls—confirmed that at least 27 campers and staff have died, with more still missing. The camp’s leadership issued a public statement mourning the loss, asking for privacy, and assuring families that they are working with authorities in the ongoing search efforts.
A counselor’s quick thinking
In the chaos, one counselor’s actions stood out. Emma Foltz, a senior at Louisiana Tech University and a three-year veteran of Camp Mystic, is being recognized for leading 14 campers to safety during the rising floodwaters.
“She played an instrumental role in helping evacuate 14 of her campers to safety,” wrote Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry in a message on X. “Please join me in thanking Emma for all her hard work and bravery under immense pressure.”
Foltz, originally from Alexandria, Louisiana, has not spoken publicly about the experience, but messages of gratitude have poured in on social media. Commenters described her as courageous and selfless, thanking her for staying calm and protecting the children under her care.
First-hand accounts from the flood
Survivors of the flood have shared chilling details about how quickly the disaster unfolded. Amanda Sue Jones, who fled with her family, told CNN the water rose within minutes.
“It was just immeasurably fast,” she said. “Lights were coming on in the cabins, and then the campers were being washed away.”
She described how water appeared deceptively calm until it began spilling over the banks, prompting her group to evacuate.
Honoring the lives lost—and those who acted
The search continues for those still missing, and families across Texas are grieving the many lives lost. Meanwhile, Emma Foltz’s efforts stand out as a moment of hope amid sorrow.
“Thank you, Emma,” one commenter wrote. “You saved 14 little girls’ lives, and that can never be repaid.”
The tragedy in Kerrville has left families shattered, but amid the devastation, stories of courage remind us of the quiet strength individuals can show in moments of crisis.
