Two Texas Sisters Share About Surviving the Flood at Camp Mystic

Two sisters, Paige and Lilly Kummerfield, survived the flood at Camp Mystic in East Texas when the river rose 20 feet in two hours. The sisters and their parents are happy and relieved that the girls are home, but they’re deeply mournful for the 27 campers and counselors that lost their lives in the waters.

“It's really hard to hear the news about the little girls who were trapped by the water because it doesn't feel fair,” Lilly said. “It's hard to hear because they were so young, I feel guilty that we were so safe and oblivious while they were living hell on earth.”

The Flood at Camp Mystic Came Rapidly

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The girls, who were returnee campers, said the weather didn’t seem abnormal at first.

“We thought it was a normal thunderstorm,” Lilly said. “We didn't know about any of the destruction or the horrible things happening at that moment.”

“Our usual flooding plan is to get to the highest point, but it happened so quickly that no one really had time to do that,” Lilly said. Other girls were scared, especially those who had friends or siblings on lower ground. Paige tried to comfort the other girls.

“You just stood by those people, hugged them and reassured it's gonna be okay,” Paige said. “There's a plan and God's got this.”

Camp Directors Gave Their Lives to Save Other Campers

Lauren Hamner, a mom of another camper, said counselors led campers in song and prayer as the waters swept through.

Camp directors Edward and Dick Eastland gave their lives to protect campers.

“I couldn't comprehend how you can see someone who's so happy and alive and just realize that they're not there anymore,” Paige said of Dick. “I know he would have wanted to give his life for the camp and to save other people.”

The girls’ parents, Katy and David Kummerfield, feared for their children’s lives as they awaited news of their condition and whereabouts.

“Those hours were some of the worst hours of our lives, not knowing if our daughters were safe and alive,” Katy said, adding that finally hearing Lilly’s voice was the “sweetest sound” she’d ever heard.

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Their Faith Brought Them Through

During the intense situation, the entire family leaned on their faith.

“I think we just really had to rely on our faith, that we had to trust in the Lord that he had our girls,” Katy said.

Lilly, Paige, and other campers had to cross a river and evacuate via Black Hawk helicopters.

“I always had a feeling that I would be home, that I was going to make it home safely. It was not if, it was a when and I had that in the back of my mind,” Lilly said. “It gave me strength to see hard things and to do hard things and to be brave, because I was going to be brave for my family and my friends.”

Lilly and Paige are grateful for the heroes who helped save them, and for the ones who risked their lives for campers.

“Those who survived and were able to get out of harm's way. It's nothing short of a miracle with how quickly the water rose,” Lilly said. “Even for the girls who didn't survive, I believe that Jesus was there with them, holding their hands when the waters rose and comforting them.”

It’s wonderful that the family’s faith got them through their terrible ordeal. As they celebrate the saved lives of their children, we should pray for all the families who lost a daughter or loved one in the flood. Jesus is there with them, like Lilly said.

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“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

WATCH: Two Texas Sisters Share About Surviving the Flood at Camp Mystic

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h/t: CBS19

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Michaela Gordoni is an avid reader and part-time globe-trotter. With a bachelor's degree in International Relations and experience in the non-profit world, she has a passion for people and reporting. You can check out her portfolio here.