‘Heartbreaking’: Waco mom details children’s rescue from devastating flooding in Texas Hill Country

WACO, Texas (KWTX) – Clara and Nolan Shelton, 14-year-old twins from Waco, were among the campers rescued in the devastating floods in the Texas Hill Country.

Destructive, fast-moving waters along the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes before dawn Friday, washing away homes, campsites and vehicles in Kerr County.

Clara had been attending Camp Mystic, while her brother, Nolan, was staying at a neighboring boys’ camp.

Their mother, Suzanne Shelton, said the family was able to bring both children home safely around 2 a.m., but the experience left them deeply shaken.

“They are resting, but pretty traumatized,” Shelton said.

Nolan described the floodwaters rising really high in some of the cabins, bringing in fish like alligator gar.

He said he and other campers helped counselors carry younger children to higher ground, while helicopters dropped food supplies because the dining hall and food stores were swept away.

Meanwhile, Clara helped in the infirmary at Camp Mystic, assisting injured campers due to a shortage of medical staff.

“There weren’t enough nurses to help everyone,” Shelton said.

Clara had been attending Camp Mystic, while her brother, Nolan, was staying at a neighboring boys’ camp.(KWTX)

One girl from Mystic, just 8 years old, floated on a mattress all the way to La Junta. Her cousin happened to be in Nolan’s cabin, and they were able to reunite them.

Both camps were eventually evacuated by boat and helicopter, then later transported in army tanks.

“They also saw water rescues and those that didn’t make it as they were being evacuated,” Shelton said.

The family expressed their heartbreak of seeing the helpless families and the devastation.

“It is absolutely heartbreaking to see everything and all the devastation,” Shelton said. “Please continue to pray for all the missing children and their families.”