President Trump honored two camp counselors at the National Prayer Breakfast Thursday for their heroic actions during the deadly Camp Mystic flood that claimed 27 lives last summer, calling their survival story a testament to the “superpower” of prayer in America’s darkest moments.
Emma Foltz and London Smith, counselors who helped save children during the catastrophic July 4, 2025 flash flood, received recognition before the assembled religious and political leaders at the 74th annual gathering in Washington.
“It was one of the worst things I’ve ever seen,” Trump said, recalling his visit with the first lady to the devastated Texas Hill Country camp. “The cabins were gone. Anybody in the cabins were gone. They thought the cabins were the safe place to be. It wasn’t.”
A Night of Terror and Survival
The disaster unfolded when an unprecedented 20 inches of rain caused the Guadalupe River to swell 20 feet above normal levels, destroying much of the beloved summer camp near Hunt, Texas. In the chaos, Smith led a group of campers to higher ground atop a building as floodwaters rose rapidly around them.
What happened next, according to the president’s account, defied explanation.
“As they prayed, the water miraculously stopped rising,” Trump recounted. “Just a few inches from their feet.”
The president appeared particularly moved by Smith’s composure in the aftermath of the tragedy. “I saw her make the statement… a young girl making that statement. Incredible. Actually a very complex statement. Smart but true,” he remarked, referring to Smith’s public comments about life’s uncertainty following the disaster.
When Trump invited the two counselors to stand and be recognized, they initially hesitated. “Well, we’re a little shy, but you know what? You may be shy, but you’re very brave. Would you please stand?” the president encouraged them.
Prayer as America’s “Superpower”
Beyond the individual heroism, Trump used the Camp Mystic tragedy to illustrate what he described as the essential role of faith in American resilience. The narrative of prayer stopping rising floodwaters became central to his broader message.
“Prayer strengthens, prayer heals, prayer empowers, and prayer saves,” Trump declared. “Quite simply, prayer is America’s superpower. It really is a superpower. And it always has been, and it always will be.”
How does a community recover from such devastating loss? The Camp Mystic story, as framed by the president, suggests that faith provides at least part of the answer.
The July 4th flood ranks among the deadliest natural disasters in recent Texas history. While the president’s remarks focused on the survivors’ story, the tragedy’s toll — 27 lives lost during what should have been a celebration of American independence — continues to reverberate through the affected communities.
For the young counselors thrust into the national spotlight at the prayer breakfast, their actions during those terrifying moments have transformed them from ordinary camp staff into symbols of courage and faith — whether they sought that recognition or not.
