National bestselling author William Elliott Hazelgrove is offering readers a first glimpse into the extraordinary reporting behind his forthcoming book, The Camp Mystic Flood: A Story of Tragedy and Heroism (Bloomsbury, July 8, 2027), following a wide-ranging interview on WCPT 820 Chicago with host Richard Chew. Drawing on months of on-the-ground research in the Texas Hill Country, Hazelgrove reconstructs the catastrophic July 4, 2025 flood that claimed the lives of 146 people, including 27 young campers at Camp Mystic. Rather than focusing on blame, the book tells 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, Hazelgrove discussed traveling the Guadalupe River with first responders, walking the flood zone, interviewing survivors and rescuers, and examining thousands of pages of investigative reports, emergency communications, and eyewitness accounts. Among the stories explored in the book are the minute-by-minute rise of the Guadalupe River before dawn, the final hours inside Camp Mystic as counselors and campers struggled to survive, extraordinary rescues by Coast Guard helicopter crews, first responders, neighbors, and ordinary Texans, the search that continued long after the floodwaters receded, how one of America's worst freshwater disasters unfolded despite modern forecasting technology, and the legislative investigations, lawsuits, and lasting impact on Texas summer camps.
The book's significance extends beyond the tragic events themselves. It raises critical questions about disaster preparedness, the limits of forecasting, and the resilience of communities in the face of overwhelming odds. Hazelgrove's narrative approach, which combines investigative reporting with storytelling, aims to provide a comprehensive account that honors the victims and survivors while examining systemic issues. The interview on WCPT 820 offered listeners an early look at the research and reporting behind the book, and the complete interview is now available online.
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. His books have been featured by The New York Times, USA Today, NPR, C-SPAN Book TV, and numerous national media outlets. He was the Ernest Hemingway Writer in Residence, and his works have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, and Booklist, as well as numerous awards and selections.
The Camp Mystic flood, one of the deadliest freshwater disasters in American history, has had a profound impact on Texas summer camps and emergency response protocols. Hazelgrove's book promises to be a definitive account, shedding light on the heroism of ordinary people and the lessons learned from this tragedy. As Hazelgrove stated, "This is not a book about assigning blame. 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."
