Richard Eastland, the director of Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, died heroically while trying to rescue campers during a flash flood that tore through the area over the weekend. As water levels rose rapidly along the Guadalupe River, Eastland rushed toward a cabin known as the Bubble Inn where girls were in immediate danger. He was later found deceased, alongside other victims, inside a submerged camp vehicle.
The flood hit with little warning, rising more than two dozen feet in under an hour. Camp Mystic, which hosts hundreds of young girls each summer, was among the hardest-hit areas. At least 27 campers and counselors were confirmed dead, with many more missing across the region.
This disaster now ranks among the deadliest flash floods in the state’s recent history. Search and recovery efforts are ongoing, and emergency officials continue to urge residents to stay clear of flooded zones. Eastland, who led Camp Mystic for decades, is being remembered for his selfless final act in a moment of crisis.