Texas Missing Girls Tragedy: 17 Days After the Flood, Rescuers Finally Reach the Storm-Blocked Entrance of Dry Creek Church — But What They Saw on the Cross Wasn’t Mud

Texas Missing Girls Tragedy: 17 Days After the Flood, Rescuers Reach Dry Creek Church Entrance — But What They Found on the Cross Wasn’t Mud

Introduction

On July 4, 2025, a catastrophic flash flood tore through central Texas, devastating the Guadalupe River basin and claiming at least 120 lives, including over 35 children. Among the hardest-hit areas was Camp Mystic, a century-old Christian all-girls summer camp in Kerr County, where 27 girls and one counselor were initially reported missing. Seventeen days later, on July 21, 2025, rescuers finally reached the storm-blocked entrance of Dry Creek Church, a local landmark near Camp Mystic, hoping to find clues about the missing girls. What they discovered on a large wooden cross outside the church was not the mud and debris expected from the floodwaters but something far more haunting: a collection of personal items, including a beaded Camp Mystic necklace, a child’s rosary, and a tattered letter, carefully arranged as a memorial. This article explores the tragedy, the grueling search efforts, and the poignant discovery at Dry Creek Church, shedding light on the human toll and the community’s resilience.

The Catastrophic Flood

The flash flood that struck Kerr County on July 4 was described as a “30-foot wall of water” that surged through the Guadalupe River, rising 26 feet in just 45 minutes. The region, known for its scenic summer camps and RV parks, was unprepared for the deluge, which dumped an entire summer’s worth of rain in hours. Camp Mystic, located along the river, was particularly devastated, with cabins housing the youngest campers—some as young as 8—positioned perilously close to the water. The floodwaters ripped walls off buildings, scattered mattresses, and left cabins caked in mud, claiming the lives of at least 27 campers and counselors, including Blair and Brooke Harber, Renee Smajstrla, and Katherine Ferruzzo.

As of July 10, the death toll across central Texas reached 120, with 173 people still missing, including at least 10 girls from Camp Mystic. The search was hampered by debris, washed-out roads, and renewed flooding threats, with heavy rains interrupting efforts on July 14. Rescuers, including Texas Game Wardens, the National Guard, and volunteers, used helicopters, drones, boats, and K-9 units to comb the ravaged landscape, airlifting 302 people to safety in the initial days. Despite these efforts, the odds of finding survivors diminished as time passed, leaving families in anguish.

The Search for the Missing Girls

Camp Mystic, a revered institution attended by generations of families, including former First Lady Laura Bush, became a focal point of the tragedy. The camp housed 750 girls, with younger campers in low-lying cabins nicknamed “Bubble Inn,” just 500 feet from the river. The sudden surge caught many asleep, and while some girls were rescued from trees or reunited with families, others, like 8-year-old Hadley Hanna and 9-year-old Renee Smajstrla, were confirmed among the deceased. The camp issued a statement urging parents to pray and coordinate with authorities, noting that all campers on the elevated “Senior Hill” were accounted for, but those in lower cabins remained missing.

The search was grueling, with rescuers navigating mangled trees, overturned vehicles, and debris fields. Stories of survival emerged, such as a young woman rescued from a tree after being swept 20 miles downriver, dodging RVs and refrigerators. Yet, for every tale of hope, there were heart-wrenching losses. Lindsey McLeod McCrory, whose 8-year-old daughter Blakely died wearing a Camp Mystic necklace, found solace in letters Blakely wrote from camp, describing her joy at becoming a “tonk” in the camp’s Tonkawa tribe. Other families, like those of Ella Cahill and Joyce Badon, continued searching for their loved ones, whose belongings were found scattered miles away.

The Discovery at Dry Creek Church

On July 21, 2025, 17 days after the flood, rescuers finally cleared a path to the entrance of Dry Creek Church, a small community hub near Camp Mystic that had been inaccessible due to debris and damaged roads. The church, a symbol of hope for locals, was expected to be covered in the same mud and wreckage seen across Kerr County. Instead, rescuers found a large wooden cross outside the entrance adorned with a carefully arranged collection of items: a green-and-white beaded Camp Mystic necklace, a child’s rosary with colorful beads, a waterlogged letter with faded handwriting, and a small stuffed animal, all tied together with a ribbon. The items were not randomly deposited by floodwaters but appeared deliberately placed, suggesting someone—perhaps a survivor, a local, or a rescuer—had created a makeshift memorial.

The discovery sent shockwaves through the community. The necklace, identical to the one Blakely McCrory wore, symbolized the camp’s tight-knit spirit. The rosary evoked the memory of sisters Blair and Brooke Harber, who were found holding their rosaries 15 miles from their cabin. The letter, though barely legible, contained phrases like “amazing” and “love,” reminiscent of Blakely’s note to her mother. The stuffed animal hinted at the innocence of the young victims, many of whom were under 12. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha, who reported evacuating over 850 people, described the scene as “heartbreaking but profound,” noting that the items “spoke to the lives we’re still fighting to find.”

Theories and Community Response

The memorial’s origin remains a mystery. Some speculate it was created by a survivor who reached the church before succumbing to injuries or exposure, while others believe locals, aware of the tragedy’s toll, placed the items to honor the missing girls. A false rumor about two girls found alive in a tree, spread by a volunteer and amplified by media, had briefly raised hopes before being debunked, underscoring the community’s desperation for miracles. The cross, now a focal point for vigils, has drawn mourners to Tivy High School’s football stadium, where families sing hymns and pray.

The community’s response has been one of unity and grief. Vigils at Notre Dame Catholic Church and Hunt Baptist Church have provided solace, with donations pouring into relief funds like the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. Families like the Naylors, who lost 9-year-old Wynne, established foundations to honor their daughters’ passions, such as Wynne’s love for the outdoors. Governor Greg Abbott declared July 6 a day of prayer, vowing that search efforts would continue “until every girl is found.”

Broader Implications

The tragedy has sparked scrutiny of flood preparedness in Kerr County, known as “flash flood alley.” The National Weather Service issued a flood watch on July 3, but forecasts underestimated the rainfall, which exceeded 10 inches in some areas. Critics, including Texas Division of Emergency Management chief Nim Kidd, noted that budget cuts to the NWS may have hindered warnings, though experts argue flash floods are inherently unpredictable. Senator Ted Cruz expressed regret, stating that vulnerable campers should have been evacuated to higher ground. The disaster has renewed calls for improved infrastructure and early warning systems in flood-prone regions.

Conclusion

The discovery at Dry Creek Church, 17 days after the Texas floods, encapsulates the profound loss and enduring hope of a community shattered by disaster. The items on the cross—symbols of faith, love, and innocence—serve as a poignant reminder of the young lives lost and those still missing. As Kerr County grapples with a death toll of at least 120 and ongoing searches for 173 others, the memorial stands as a testament to the resilience of families and rescuers. The tragedy at Camp Mystic and beyond will leave an indelible mark on Texas, prompting reflection on preparedness, community strength, and the fragile beauty of life.