Young Texas camp survivor describes harrowing moment she prepared for worst during deadly flood
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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 normal thunderstorm. One minute you see lightning strike next to your cabin, and next to you, you hear water’s coming up,” 16-year-old Callie McAlary described on ‘Fox Report.’

“And you have kids running just trying to get to other cabins, trying to get to safety. And luckily, my cabin was one of the few cabins that did not get water, but the cabins in front of us did get some water,” McAlary continued.

McAlary’s mother, Tara Bradburn, also reflected on the tragic flooding, saying that despite living in Virginia now, the camp had been a huge part of their lives as McAlary had been attending the camp since she was in second grade. 

Debris and damage in Camp Mystic cabin split with a photo of Dick Eastland

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

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