National bestselling author William Elliott Hazelgrove has revealed new details from his forthcoming book, The Camp Mystic Flood: A Story of Tragedy and Heroism, during a radio interview on WCPT 820 Chicago with host Richard Chew. The book, set for release by Bloomsbury on July 8, 2027, reconstructs the catastrophic July 4, 2025 flood that claimed the lives of 146 people, including 27 young campers at Camp Mystic in the Texas Hill Country.
Hazelgrove's reporting is based on months of on-the-ground research, including traveling the Guadalupe River with first responders, walking the flood zone, interviewing survivors and rescuers, and examining thousands of pages of investigative reports, emergency communications, and eyewitness accounts. The result is a comprehensive narrative that goes beyond assigning blame to tell the complete story of the disaster.
In the interview, Hazelgrove discussed the minute-by-minute rise of the Guadalupe River before dawn, the final hours inside Camp Mystic as counselors and campers struggled to survive, and the extraordinary rescues by Coast Guard helicopter crews, first responders, neighbors, and ordinary Texans. He also detailed the search that continued long after the floodwaters receded and the difficult questions that followed, including how one of America's worst freshwater disasters unfolded despite modern forecasting technology.
The book also covers the legislative investigations, lawsuits, and lasting impact on Texas summer camps. Hazelgrove emphasized, "This is not a book about assigning blame. It is the story of what happened, why it happened, and the extraordinary courage shown by so many people in the darkest hours of that morning."
Hazelgrove, known for narrative nonfiction that brings major historical events to life, has authored more than two dozen books, including Capone's Vault, Henry Knox's Noble Train, and Evil on the Roof of the World. His work has been featured by The New York Times, USA Today, NPR, C-SPAN Book TV, and other national media outlets.
The full WCPT interview is available online, offering listeners an early look at the research and reporting behind the book. This story matters because it sheds light on a tragedy that might otherwise be forgotten, revealing the heroism of everyday people and the systemic issues that contribute to such disasters. The book's findings could influence future safety protocols at summer camps and emergency response strategies in flood-prone areas.
