Some moments pierce through everything and demand to be written about. The catastrophic flash flooding in central Texas is one of them.
For those who missed it, the Guadalupe River rose more than 25 feet in under two hours. The violent flash flood swept through Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp near Hunt, Texas, as well as a nearby all-boys summer camp, Camp La Junta. While both were impacted, Camp Mystic took the brunt of the resulting devastation.
When the flood hit, there were 750 girls, ages 8 to 17, there. As of now, 27 campers and counselors have been confirmed dead, with 11 more still missing. Entire cabins were swept away. The youngest campers were housed in the cabins closer to the river.
Survivors are sharing, on local news and social media, their stories of being awakened by thunderous rain and realizing that they were floating in fast-moving water. These reports say that some swam to higher ground. Others climbed atop the bunks for hours until they were saved. Some waded in the water, holding on for dear life until they were rescued. The scenes described are those that nightmares are made of—for kids and parents alike.
As a father of five, it is hard to even read about what happened. Beyond the despair and sadness, the always-present questions about why begin to creep in. In the Jewish tradition, we are encouraged to ask difficult questions, including the classic question of why God allows suffering or why good things happen to good people. While wrestling with the question is natural for all who believe in God, I am confident in saying that there is no good answer, certainly not for those who lost loved ones in situations like these devastating flash floods in Texas. In fact, trying to find a satisfactory answer to these questions only confirms how little we understand about the Creator of the Universe and His plans.
These questions and feelings have come up several times for me in the last few years, including on Oct. 7, 2023, and during the Champlain Tower South collapse in June of 2021, in Surfside, Fla. Each time, I’ve come to the same conclusion: The only way forward is to double down on our belief in God and focus on those who do good in the face of the inexplicable. I am reminded of the words of Presbyterian minister, writer, TV personality and person of great wisdom Fred Rogers of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers.’ You will always find people who are helping.”
While meant as a coping mechanism for children, this is a simple and profound piece of wisdom for all. It reminds us to focus on the good we can see and the good we can do, rather than what is beyond our comprehension.
As we mourn the Texas tragedy, we also should focus on the helpers, such as Petty Officer 3rd Class Scott Ruskan of the U.S. Coast Guard. The 26-year-old rescue swimmer for the Coast Guard led his helicopter crew for eight straight hours of life-saving work. In incredibly dangerous conditions, he directly helped rescue 165 people from the flood zone. He does not ask for credit, but certainly deserves it.
May the One who makes peace in the heavens make peace for us and for all who dwell on Earth, and may the memories of those who perished in the Texas flash floods be a blessing.
