In 1987, sudden and intense rainfall caused the river to surge at an unprecedented rate in mid-July, leading to a tragedy that killed 10 campers at Pot O' Gold Christian Camp, a summer camp near Comfort, Texas. The campers drowned when their bus attempted to evacuate them and was overtaken by floodwater.

The Texas summer camp where children died in flooding is in an area meteorologists refer to as "Flash Flood Alley."

At Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp in Hunt, Texas, where officials are grieving the loss of 27 children and counselors, belongings of the young campers are strewn about the flooded floors of a dormitory, while other items, including a pink backpack and a Camp Mystic t-shirt, were found along the bloated Guadalupe River, photos show.