Certainly a lot of blame to go around, not only during the night of the flood, but also in the decisions made during the years leading up to it- on the local, state and federal levels. All failed.

But there were heroes- brave, purpose driven heroes who undoubtedly fail to see themselves in this light.

Camp counselors- many in their late teens and early twenties, young women and men, not only at Camp Mystic, but in camps all along that stretch of the Guadulupe. They woke up to screams and swirling black water, and yet had the presence of mind to lead their small, terrified charges to higher ground. Without their efforts, the number of dead campers would be much, much higher.

Today, I thank God that there are young people like that.