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, reconstructs the catastrophic July 4, 2025 flood in the Texas Hill Country that claimed 146 lives, including 27 young campers at Camp Mystic.
Hazelgrove's narrative goes beyond assigning blame, focusing instead on the complete story—from the initial weather alerts to the desperate rescues and the remarkable acts of courage that emerged. His research involved months of on-the-ground investigation, 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.
During the interview, Hazelgrove discussed 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. He also addressed the search that continued long after the floodwaters receded and how this disaster unfolded 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, author of more than two dozen books, is known for narrative nonfiction that brings historical events to life. His previous works include Capone's Vault, Henry Knox's Noble Train, and Evil on the Roof of the World. His books have been featured by The New York Times, USA Today, NPR, C-SPAN Book TV, and other national media outlets.
The complete WCPT interview is now available online, offering listeners an early look at the research and reporting behind the book.
