National bestselling author William Elliott Hazelgrove has shared new details from his upcoming book, The Camp Mystic Flood: A Story of Tragedy and Heroism, during a recent interview on WCPT 820 Chicago with host Richard Chew. The book, set for release by Bloomsbury on July 8, 2027, chronicles the catastrophic flood that struck the Texas Hill Country on July 4, 2025, claiming 146 lives, including 27 young campers at Camp Mystic.
During the interview, Hazelgrove discussed his extensive research, which included traveling the Guadalupe River with first responders, walking the flood zone, and interviewing survivors and rescuers. He also examined thousands of pages of investigative reports, emergency communications, and eyewitness accounts. The book aims to present a comprehensive narrative rather than assigning blame, focusing on the sequence of events from the first weather alerts to the desperate rescues and the broader implications.
Key stories explored in the book include 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 extraordinary rescues by Coast Guard helicopter crews, first responders, neighbors, and ordinary Texans. Hazelgrove also delves into the search that continued long after the floodwaters receded and how one of America's worst freshwater disasters occurred despite modern forecasting technology. The book also covers the legislative investigations, lawsuits, and lasting impact on Texas summer camps.
“This is not a book about assigning blame,” Hazelgrove said. “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 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 interview is available online, offering listeners an early look at the research behind the book. The Camp Mystic flood remains one of the deadliest in Texas history, and Hazelgrove's reporting promises to shed light on the human stories and systemic questions that emerged from the tragedy.
