In the heart of Texas Hill Country, where summer camps are supposed to be about campfire songs, friendships, and carefree adventures, a nightmare unfolded under the cover of darkness. On the fateful night of July 4, 2025, flash floods ravaged Camp Mystic, a beloved all-girls Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe River in Kerrville. What started as a typical thunderstorm escalated into one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent Texas history, claiming at least 27 lives – mostly young campers and counselors – and leaving dozens missing. Amid the chaos, 13-year-old Stella Thompson emerged as a voice of raw, unfiltered survival, recounting her harrowing escape on Fox News’ “Gutfeld!” show. With tears in her eyes but a spirit unbroken, Stella described the terror: “The whole cabin was praying a lot and terrified.” Her story isn’t just a tale of survival; it’s a testament to faith, quick thinking, and the unbreakable American grit that shines brightest in the darkest hours.

Camp Mystic, founded in 1926, has long been a staple of Texas summers, drawing girls from across the state and beyond for weeks of outdoor activities, Bible studies, and sisterhood. Nestled on 800 acres of rolling hills and riverfront, the camp promises “a place where girls can grow in faith and fun.” But on that Independence Day weekend, Mother Nature had other plans. A relentless storm system dumped over 20 inches of rain in a matter of hours, swelling the Guadalupe River to more than 26 feet – levels not seen since the devastating floods of the 1930s. Water surged through the camp like a biblical deluge, sweeping away cabins, uprooting trees, and turning the serene grounds into a deadly trap.

Stella Thompson, a spunky eighth-grader from Houston, was one of the lucky ones. She arrived at Camp Mystic excited for her first full session, eager to make s’mores, swim in the river, and bond with her cabin mates. Little did she know that her camp experience would become a life-or-death ordeal. Appearing on “Gutfeld!” – the late-night Fox News show hosted by the irreverent Greg Gutfeld – Stella shared her story with a mix of wide-eyed innocence and profound maturity. “It was like something out of a movie, but way scarier,” she told Gutfeld, her voice steady despite the trauma. The host, known for his sharp wit, toned down the humor for this segment, letting Stella’s words take center stage. “Kid, you’re tougher than half the adults I know,” Gutfeld quipped, but his eyes showed genuine admiration.

The night began innocently enough. Around midnight, thunder rumbled like distant artillery, and lightning cracked across the sky. Stella and her cabin of 12 girls – ages 12 to 14 – were tucked into their bunks, giggling about the day’s activities. But soon, the rain intensified, pounding the tin roof like machine-gun fire. “We thought it was just a bad storm,” Stella recalled. “Our counselor came in and said, ‘Girls, stay calm, but we might need to move.'” That’s when the first signs of trouble appeared: water seeping under the door, then rising rapidly. Panic set in as screams echoed from nearby cabins. “The whole cabin was praying a lot and terrified,” Stella said, her words painting a vivid picture of girls huddled together, reciting the Lord’s Prayer amid the rising waters. “We were holding hands, crying, and just asking God to keep us safe.”

Evacuation was chaotic but heroic. Counselors, many of them teenagers themselves from Mexico and local Texas towns, sprang into action like seasoned first responders. Videos shared by a camp nurse captured the frenzy: girls scrambling onto buses, water lapping at the wheels, while parents and staff waded through chest-deep currents to guide them. Stella’s group was herded to higher ground, but not before witnessing the horror. “I saw cabins floating away like boats,” she described on “Gutfeld!” “One girl from another cabin was screaming for help – her bed was underwater. Our counselors grabbed us and ran. They were like superheroes.” Indeed, stories of bravery abound. Two 19-year-old Mexican counselors shielded girls from debris, risking their own lives to ensure the kids made it out. One counselor, Katherine Somerville, later recounted on Fox News how she carried a sobbing 10-year-old through the floodwaters: “We couldn’t see anything, but we kept moving. Faith got us through.”

The flood’s toll was staggering. At least 27 campers and staff perished, with bodies recovered miles downstream. Dozens more remain missing, including young girls who were swept away in their sleep. The camp director, a beloved figure who had led Mystic for decades, died trying to rescue trapped children – a selfless act that has inspired tributes from across the nation. Search and rescue teams, including the National Guard and Coast Guard, combed the riverbanks for days, using drones and dogs amid the mud and wreckage. “It’s like a war zone out here,” one rescuer told reporters. Families gathered at makeshift memorials, singing hymns and sharing stories of the lost. Stella’s own cabin escaped the worst, but the emotional scars run deep. “I keep thinking about the girls who didn’t make it,” she said on the show. “We hugged them goodnight, and now they’re gone. It’s not fair.”

Stella’s appearance on “Gutfeld!” wasn’t just a retelling; it was a call to action. The show, which often mixes comedy with commentary, dedicated a full segment to the floods, featuring Stella alongside survivors and experts. Gutfeld praised her poise: “In a world where kids are glued to TikTok, here’s one facing real terror and coming out stronger.” Panelists, including comedian Tyrus – the hulking former wrestler turned Fox personality – weighed in with heartfelt support. Tyrus, who has been boots-on-the-ground in Kerrville helping with relief, shared his own story: “I wrestled giants in the ring, but nothing compares to fighting floodwaters. These kids are the real champs.” He recounted joining forces with combat veteran Johnny “Joey” Jones to distribute supplies, emphasizing how stories like Stella’s fuel the recovery efforts.

The broader disaster stretched beyond Camp Mystic, engulfing Central Texas in what officials call a “1,000-year flood event.” Kerrville and surrounding areas saw over 119 deaths statewide, with infrastructure crumbling – bridges collapsed, roads washed out, and homes submerged. Climate experts point to global warming as a culprit, with warmer atmospheres holding more moisture and unleashing fiercer storms. Political debates raged, with some blaming delayed responses on labor disputes in the Austin Fire Department. But amid the finger-pointing, everyday heroes emerged. Mothers like Wynne Kennedy, whose daughter Lucy escaped, praised the counselors: “They saved my baby’s life.” Videos of survivors singing Christian hymns on evacuation buses went viral, symbolizing hope in despair.

For Stella, the nightmare didn’t end with evacuation. Reunited with her family, she struggled with survivor’s guilt. “Why us and not them?” she pondered on “Gutfeld!” Her mother, speaking to E! News, described the frantic calls: “We heard the news and drove through the night. Seeing her safe was a miracle.” Stella’s story has inspired fundraisers, with GoFundMe pages raising millions for rebuilding Camp Mystic and supporting affected families. Celebrities and politicians, including Congressman Brian Babin – whose granddaughter narrowly escaped – have voiced solidarity.

As Texas heals, Stella’s words echo a profound truth: In the face of terror, faith and community prevail. “We prayed, we held on, and we made it,” she said. Her night of terror at Camp Mystic isn’t just a memory – it’s a beacon of resilience for a nation that knows how to rise from the mud. God bless Texas, and the brave souls who weathered the storm.