Texas enacts camp safety laws, flags deficiencies in Mystic's response plan
Texas enacts camp safety laws after investigating Camp Mystic's deficient emergency response plan.
Event / Disaster
Camp Mystic Flood Disaster Texas
All-girls Christian camp in Kerrville, Texas faces operational shutdown and legal consequences following July 2025 flood that killed 27 people including 25 campers and two counselors. Camp withdrawal from 2026 season, pending lawsuits, and state safety regulation changes.
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2026-08-18 to 2026-11-15 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 16 Apr, 01:07 UTC
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What happened
July 4, 2025 flood at Camp Mystic kills 27 people including 25 campers and two counselors
A catastrophic flood struck Camp Mystic near Kerrville, Texas on July 4, 2025, resulting in 27 deaths. The victims included 25 campers, two teenage counselors, and Dick Eastland, the camp's owner and executive director, who died while attempting rescue efforts. The Guadalupe River peaked at more than 37 feet in less than an hour during the flood. One camper, Cecilia 'Cile' Stewart, remains missing. The flooding also killed more than 100 people in Kerr County, affecting vacation homes, RV parks, and other structures.
Camp Mystic director apologizes at legislative hearing to families of flood victims
Edward Eastland, who directed the portion of Camp Mystic where girls died in the flooding, offered an emotional apology to families during a two-day state legislative hearing investigating the camp's response to the disaster. During his testimony, Eastland acknowledged the camp's failures, including inadequate planning and insufficient training of counselors for flood evacuation. The hearing also featured testimony from a state investigator detailing how the chaotic evacuation resulted in counselors passing campers through windows to escape rushing water.
Texas state investigation finds Camp Mystic's new emergency plan deficient in multiple areas
The Texas Department of State Health Services reviewed Camp Mystic's emergency plan submitted as part of the license reapplication and found it deficient in multiple areas. State regulators identified 22 specific deficiencies in the camp's emergency procedures, which the agency noted was a common issue across Texas camps working to comply with new state laws enacted after the flooding disaster.
Camp Mystic withdraws application to operate summer 2026 season
Camp Mystic officially withdrew its application for a summer 2026 operating license on Thursday, following intense scrutiny from Texas lawmakers and grieving families. The camp's decision came one day after an emotional legislative hearing where camp director Edward Eastland offered a tearful apology to families of those who died in the July 4, 2025 flooding. Camp officials stated the withdrawal was made to respect the concerns of grieving families, investigating committees, and citizens across Texas.
Families of Camp Mystic flood victims file lawsuits and seek property closure
Families of those killed in the Camp Mystic flooding filed lawsuits against the camp and sought to keep portions of the property closed to preserve evidence for investigation. A judge agreed to maintain closure of the section of the camp where deaths occurred. Parents also lobbied state lawmakers to pass safety reforms and publicly opposed the camp's planned reopening, demanding accountability from camp operators.
Texas Department of State Health Services confirms Camp Mystic license withdrawal
A spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed that Camp Mystic had officially withdrawn its application for an operating license. The agency had been reviewing the camp's reapplication for licensure as part of the state oversight process following the flooding disaster.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick calls on regulators to deny Camp Mystic license
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick repeatedly called on the Texas Department of State Health Services not to renew Camp Mystic's license application. Following the camp's withdrawal announcement, Patrick expressed gratitude for the Eastland family's decision in a social media post.
Texas lawmakers pass new camp safety laws requiring emergency planning and flood evacuation procedures
Following the Camp Mystic flooding disaster, Texas lawmakers passed new laws aimed at improving camp safety. The new requirements mandate that camps develop robust emergency evacuation plans, install emergency warning systems, and evacuate flood-prone buildings when flash flood warnings are issued. These reforms were introduced after families of victims lobbied state lawmakers demanding accountability and safety improvements.
One camper's body remains unrecovered from Camp Mystic flood
Cile Steward, 8 years old, is the only camper from the Camp Mystic flood whose body has not been recovered. Her family's attorney notes that had evacuation orders been issued before 3 AM, lives would have been saved.
Security guard acknowledges early evacuation order could have saved lives
Glenn Juenke, security guard at Camp Mystic, testified during a legal hearing that if a general evacuation order had been issued early in the storm, lives could have been saved. He acknowledged that camp operators had not trained campers, counselors, and staff on where to go during an emergency evacuation.
Camp Mystic lacks detailed evacuation plan and emergency procedures
Camp operators failed to implement a detailed evacuation plan and delayed sending orders to evacuate campers from cabins. An emergency notice posted in cabins, which had passed state inspection two days before the flood, instructed campers to stay in their cabins until given instructions by staff.
Camp Mystic seeks to reopen after deadly flood
Camp operators are seeking to reopen Camp Mystic during the summer following the July 4th flood. The camp's license remains under review by state health regulators. Families of victims oppose the reopening, and a judge has ordered the camp to preserve damaged areas as evidence for pending lawsuits.
Legal hearing examines Camp Mystic flood response and evacuation decisions
A three-day legal hearing was held between camp operators seeking to reopen Camp Mystic and families of victims. The hearing produced extensive details from camp operators about what happened during the flood, including missed opportunities to prepare for the storm and delayed evacuation decisions.
Deadly flood strikes Camp Mystic on Guadalupe River killing 27 people
A flood swept through Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian camp, in the predawn hours of July 4th, 2025. The disaster killed 25 campers, two teenage counselors, and camp co-owner Dick Eastland, for a total of 28 deaths. The flood occurred along the Guadalupe River.
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2 alternative perspectives
Camp Mystic withdraws operating license following flood disaster lawsuits
Camp Mystic withdraws operating license following flood disaster and legal pressure from victims' families.
Camp Mystic explores reopening pathway following disaster recovery
Camp Mystic explores reopening while addressing evacuation and planning failures exposed by the disaster.
Legal review exposes Camp Mystic evacuation failures and planning gaps
Legal review finds Camp Mystic lacked evacuation plan; earlier order could have saved lives.
Camp Mystic flood kills 27, with one body still unrecovered
Flood at Camp Mystic kills 27; one body still unrecovered.