The catastrophic flooding in the Texas Hill Country began in the early hours of July 4, 2025, claiming more than 135 lives, including 27 people at Camp Mystic. One of those victims was 19-year-old counselor Katherine Ferruzzo. Her body was recovered a week after the disaster.
In an interview with CBS News, Katherine’s mother, Andrea, said her daughter — who was preparing to begin her freshman year at the University of Texas in Austin — sacrificed herself while trying to protect the young campers in her care. “She died a hero,” Andrea said, explaining that Katherine gave her life attempting to save the girls.
Five months later, in December 2025, the all-girls summer camp announced that it would reopen its Cypress Lake site in 2026, though its Guadalupe River location would stay closed. Andrea said the decision felt like a return to “business as usual,” questioning how the camp could welcome campers back without first resolving the problems that contributed to the tragedy.
The Ferruzzos spoke out shortly after the parents of 8-year-old Cecilia “Cile” Steward — who is still missing — filed a lawsuit accusing the camp’s operators of negligence. In response, an attorney representing Camp Mystic rejected what he described as inaccuracies in the lawsuit. He argued that the floodwaters rose suddenly and reached levels far beyond any previously recorded in the region, calling the event both unexpected and impossible to predict. He also stated that there were no sufficient early-warning flood systems in place at the time.
In November, the families of five campers and two counselors also filed a lawsuit, alleging that the camp’s leadership prioritized profits over safety.
Following the disaster, officials announced plans to install around 100 flood warning sirens along the Guadalupe River. Katherine’s father, John Ferruzzo, described the measure as “a good start,” but stressed that additional safeguards are necessary. He emphasized the importance of having a clear evacuation strategy, properly training counselors on emergency procedures, and establishing reliable communication systems.
John said his daughter was someone who took action and would want her family to keep pushing for change. Andrea added that dedicating herself to causes Katherine cared about motivates her each day. Honoring her daughter’s name and continuing her legacy, she said, gives the family a sense of purpose amid their grief.
