In 1987, sudden and intense rainfall caused the river to surge at an unprecedented rate in mid-July, leading to a tragedy that killed 10 campers at Pot O' Gold Christian Camp, a summer camp near Comfort, Texas. The campers drowned when their bus attempted to evacuate them and was overtaken by floodwater.

Camp staff went to bed following what seemed like routine flood warnings. Within hours, they were fighting for survival. “Chaos struck almost instantaneously.”

“ Camp Mystic, a haven for generations of Texas girls, becomes a center of tragedy ” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.