AccuWeather's Ali Reid reports from Camp Mystic in Texas where a cross was placed along the Guadeloupe River overlooking the campgrounds, in remembrance to the lives lost in the devastating flood.
00:00This morning, our Allie Reed is live in Hunt, Texas, where one of the hardest hit campgrounds is a sobering reminder of the storm's toll and the heroes who emerged in the chaos.
00:10All right, Allie, you kind of teased ahead to what you're going to be talking about that's just over your shoulder.
00:18Right, Ari Burney, over the last couple of days, we've been really bringing you some powerful emotional stories live from Kerr County, Texas,
00:27specifically in Hunt this morning, directly behind me are the campgrounds of Camp Mystic.
00:32Again, that story that so many people have spoken about.
00:36Over my other shoulder, though, Ari, as you mentioned, something that we've been talking about not only today,
00:41but a story that I first brought you two days ago across, now sitting behind us here, just along the Guadalupe River that overlooks Camp Mystic.
00:52We know at least 27 campers and staff, those lives were taken back on July 4th because of the devastating floods here in this area.
01:03Now, we first brought you a story, again, a man named Dan Beasley.
01:08He is someone that travels the country with a 10-foot cross.
01:13And if you take a look at this picture up on your screen, this will give you an idea of other locations he's been.
01:18In fact, I took this picture back two months ago in London, Kentucky.
01:24I thought it was such a powerful message.
01:27I just wanted to take a picture myself.
01:29I saw him two days ago when we first got here on the ground, and I said, OK, I need to talk to this man.
01:34What is his story?
01:36He goes to the hardest-hit communities that are impacted by devastation, a lot of them having to do with severe weather.
01:43And he shares his message, a very quiet, powerful message.
01:48And the community said, we need to get together and do something here.
01:52Now, again, we're going to take this some video of something that happened yesterday.
01:56Really incredible how this community came together.
01:59His powerful gesture, again, caught the attention of so many people here.
02:04And with that, so many people had wondered if a cross that he was able to bring to locations just like his can be left permanently here in this area.
02:16Within hours, a local lumberyard said, don't worry, we're going to get this done, and they quite literally did.
02:23The cross, which is a powerful symbol to represent the Christian summer camp, is now rooted in the earth as a message of strength, remembrance, and unity.
02:31Locals yesterday helped fund, transport, and install it.
02:36Some bringing tools, others bringing tears, and all of them bringing heart.
02:40It's a moment this community desperately needed.
02:45The road's closed right now for the general public, but I think as the road opens up, I think that everyone's going to, I believe that everyone is going to stop here.
02:55This is going to be a spot where they're going to stop, and they're going to pray, and they're going to just embrace the location and embrace what's here.
03:03You know, we don't never know what tomorrow's going to bring.
03:09You know, this is a reminder that life is so short.
03:12Throughout the day yesterday, so many stopped, some prayed, others took a moment of silence.
03:22Some left flowers and teddy bears.
03:26Ultimately, each person that came by did what felt right for them in those moments.
03:33And I think that's important to mention, is yes, obviously the cross for many is something that means something incredibly powerful to them when it comes to religion.
03:45But we've heard so many conversations, even people saying yesterday, I'm not religious, but it's nice to have a symbol, something that can represent our community.
03:54That means something of hope and looking toward the future.
04:00And quite literally, Ari and Bernie, that cross, again, sitting across from Camp Mystic, the campgrounds that have devastated the lives of so many people here.
04:12And I think the gentleman had it right.
04:14That's going to be a powerful message that will live for decades.
