National bestselling author William Elliott Hazelgrove is shedding new light on one of America's worst freshwater disasters with his forthcoming book, The Camp Mystic Flood: A Story of Tragedy and Heroism (Bloomsbury, July 8, 2027). In a recent interview on WCPT 820 Chicago with host Richard Chew, Hazelgrove shared firsthand insights from his extensive research into the catastrophic July 4, 2025 flood in the Texas Hill Country that claimed 146 lives, including 27 young campers at Camp Mystic.
Rather than focusing on blame, Hazelgrove's narrative reconstructs the complete story—from the first weather alerts to the desperate rescues, remarkable acts of courage, and the difficult questions that followed. During the interview, he discussed traveling the Guadalupe River with first responders, walking the flood zone, and interviewing survivors and rescuers. He also examined thousands of pages of investigative reports, emergency communications, and eyewitness accounts.
The book explores the minute-by-minute rise of the Guadalupe River before dawn, the final hours inside Camp Mystic as counselors and campers struggled to survive, and the extraordinary rescues by Coast Guard helicopter crews, first responders, neighbors, and ordinary Texans. It also details the search that continued long after the floodwaters receded and how the disaster unfolded despite modern forecasting technology. The legislative investigations, lawsuits, and lasting impact on Texas summer camps are also covered.
"This is not a book about assigning blame," Hazelgrove said. "It is the story of what happened, why it happened, and the extraordinary courage shown by so many people in the darkest hours of that morning."
Hazelgrove, author of more than two dozen books, is known for narrative nonfiction that brings major historical events to life. His previous works include Capone's Vault, Henry Knox's Noble Train, and Evil on the Roof of the World. The complete WCPT interview is now available online, offering listeners an early look at the research and reporting behind the book.
Hazelgrove's books have been featured by The New York Times, USA Today, NPR, C-SPAN Book TV, and numerous national media outlets. His work combines investigative reporting with narrative storytelling to illuminate remarkable moments in American history. With The Camp Mystic Flood, he brings to light the heroism and tragedy of a disaster that continues to resonate.
