HISTORY REPEATING: Did You Know The Guadalupe River Flooded In 1987 and K*lled 10 Children? | WLT Report Skip to main content
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HISTORY REPEATING: Did You Know The Guadalupe River Flooded In 1987 and K*lled 10 Children?


History just repeated itself (in horrific fashion) and most probably had no idea.

I sure didn’t.

But that’s why we do our research around here and that’s why over 5 million people trust us to deliver the news each day.

In 1987, the same river, same exact area, even the same kind of camp was hit by nearly identical fast-rising flooding.

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Take a look:

And because we don’t report solely based on a video posted to Twitter, I did my research and here’s everything I found about that event:

  • Date & Location: On July 17, 1987, a flash flood hit the Guadalupe River near Comfort, Texas, during a church camp at Pot O’ Gold Ranch.

  • Rainfall & Flooding: 10–12 inches of rain caused the river to rise 29 feet, cresting at 31.5 feet in Comfort — among the highest in recorded history.

  • Camp Involved: Over 300 children, mostly from Seagoville Road Baptist Church in Balch Springs, TX, were attending the camp. The flood triggered an early morning evacuation.

  • Tragic Evacuation: The last bus carrying 43 people (39 teens, 4 adults) stalled at a low-water crossing. As they attempted to escape on foot, a massive wall of water swept them into the river.

  • Casualties: 10 teenagers drowned. 9 bodies were recovered; one was never found.

  • Survivors: 33 people (including all four adults) were rescued, many airlifted from treetops by helicopters.

  • Rescue Teams: Texas DPS, U.S. Army, and a San Antonio news station played key roles in the rescue efforts.

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  • Aftermath: A memorial plaque was erected; the dangerous road was rebuilt 15 feet higher to prevent recurrence.

  • Cultural Impact: The event inspired a 1989 Rescue 911 segment and the 1993 TV movie The Flood: Who Will Save Our Children?

  • Legacy: The tragedy remains a solemn reminder of Texas Hill Country’s flash flood dangers, especially during summer camps, and drew renewed attention during similar 2025 floods.

I’m willing to bet someone reading this lived through it or lived near it.

Comment below if you have a personal history with this 1987 flood!

Oh, and did you notice in the video above they said the first to be rescued was “Chris Wray”?

Really?

What are the odds.

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Surely it’s not the same Christopher Wray, do you think?

Thoughts?



 

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