In a recent interview on WCPT 820 Chicago with host Richard Chew, national bestselling author William Elliott Hazelgrove offered listeners a first glimpse into the extensive research behind his upcoming book, The Camp Mystic Flood: A Story of Tragedy and Heroism, set for release by Bloomsbury on July 8, 2027. The book provides a comprehensive account of the catastrophic flood that struck the Texas Hill Country on July 4, 2025, claiming 146 lives, including 27 young campers at Camp Mystic.
Hazelgrove's reporting goes beyond assigning blame, instead focusing on the full narrative: from the initial weather alerts to the desperate rescues and the remarkable acts of courage that emerged. During the interview, he discussed his months of on-the-ground research, including 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 delves into 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. It also covers the search that continued long after the floodwaters receded and raises important questions about how one of America's worst freshwater disasters unfolded despite modern forecasting technology.
Hazelgrove emphasizes that this is not just a story of tragedy but also of heroism. "This is not a book about assigning blame," he 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."
The book also examines the legislative investigations, lawsuits, and lasting impact on Texas summer camps. Hazelgrove, known for his narrative nonfiction, has authored more than two dozen books, including Capone's Vault and Henry Knox's Noble Train. His work has been featured by The New York Times, USA Today, NPR, and C-SPAN Book TV.
The complete WCPT interview is now available online, providing listeners with an early look at the research and reporting that went into the book. For more information about the book and its release, visit the Bloomsbury website.
