NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) – A Nacogdoches man that was swept away in the Hill Country flooding made it back home safe.

19-year-old John David Stover and three other Camp La Junta staff were stuck in a cabin that was swept away when water rushed through the campgrounds.

“I struggle with the grief of losing so many people. I’m so grateful my son is here,” said John David’s mother, Dawn.

John David had been going to Camp La Junta every summer for the last 10 years. This summer, he was staff member. In the early morning hours on July 4, he and three young adults were asleep inside a cabin when the Guadalupe River flooded.

John David woke up “to the sound of the breakers next to his bed,” said his father, Seth Stover.

“[John David] said looking out the window, they couldn’t tell they were moving at first, it was just pitch black until lighting struck and there was a sea of water out there.”

“In the moment it was a lot to process, he wasn’t just thinking about what’s going to happen next. It was just, they’re floating away,” described Dawn Stover.

All four staff members made it out safely after the cabin stopped by hitting a tree. They waited for the water to recede to get back on ground. The Stovers were told all campers and staff were safe before their son’s first text came in nearly 13 hours later. According to reports, there were 380 campers and staff at Camp La Junta when the flooding started.

“I think that’s the hardest I ever cried. It was just really terrifying,” said Dawn Stover.

The family says they hope to see the camp recover.

“[We hope] they rebuild, and we’ll do everything we can. They’re like family to us,” said Seth Stover.

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