Camp Mystic Flood: Lawsuits Claim Negligence Led to Preventable Deaths
The tragic July 4th flood at Camp Mystic, a private Christian girls’ summer camp in Kerr County, Texas, has resulted in multiple lawsuits alleging gross negligence. The lawsuits claim that the camp’s leadership ignored repeated flood warnings and failed to evacuate children from low-lying cabins along the Guadalupe River, leading to the deaths of 25 campers and two counselors. This devastating event, where over 130 people died in Central Texas, has sparked intense legal battles and raised serious questions about safety protocols at summer camps.
The Catastrophic Flood and its Aftermath
On July 4, 2025, torrential rains caused the Guadalupe River to rise rapidly, inundating Camp Mystic. The floodwaters overwhelmed several cabins, trapping campers and counselors. The disaster claimed the lives of 27 individuals at the camp, a tragedy that has deeply affected the families and the community. The event is considered one of the deadliest floods in recent Texas history, prompting investigations and calls for accountability.
Legal Actions and Allegations of Negligence
In the wake of the flood, numerous families have filed lawsuits against Camp Mystic LLC, members of the Eastland family (who owned and operated the camp), and related business entities. These lawsuits, filed in Travis County District Court, seek more than $1 million in damages per family, alleging negligence, gross negligence, failure to warn, premises liability, wrongful death, survival action, and breach of fiduciary duty.
The central claims in these lawsuits revolve around the following points:
- Failure to Evacuate: The lawsuits assert that camp officials failed to evacuate the campers despite receiving flood warnings. Some complaints allege that camp leaders waited over an hour after receiving a flood warning to begin moving campers to higher ground.
- Inadequate Safety Procedures: Families argue that Camp Mystic did not have adequate safety procedures in place for flood events. They claim the camp’s written disaster plan offered little guidance on flooding and that counselors were barred from using cell phones, leaving them without communication once power failed.
- Location of Cabins: A key point of contention is the location of the cabins. The lawsuits allege that the camp placed cabins in known flood zones along the Guadalupe River, prioritizing profits over safety by avoiding the cost of relocating the cabins.
- Misleading Information: Some lawsuits include a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress, alleging that after the flood, camp officials sent messages suggesting that children were “unaccounted for” even after learning some had died.
- Ignoring Flood Risks: The lawsuits assert that the section of the Guadalupe River where the camp is located “has always been prone to deadly flash flooding” and that the owners were “well aware of the risks of flooding”.
One lawsuit highlights a photograph of emergency instructions found in a counselor’s flooded trunk, which appeared to direct campers and counselors to “NEVER wander away from your cabin” in case of flooding, claiming that the cabins were “constructed on high, safe locations.” The lawsuit argues that these instructions contributed to the loss of life.
Camp Mystic’s Defense
Camp Mystic’s legal counsel has stated that the camp intends to demonstrate that the floodwaters far exceeded any previous flood in the area and that the event was unexpected. They also dispute accusations in the legal filings regarding the actions of Camp Mystic and its co-owner, Dick Eastland, who also died in the flood. Mikal Watts, representing the camp pro bono, has stated that many of the lawsuit’s claims and public perceptions about Camp Mystic were “categorically false.”
Regulatory Scrutiny and Legislative Action
The Camp Mystic flood has led to increased scrutiny of summer camp regulations in Texas. Parents of the victims have been at the forefront of efforts to impose stricter regulations on summer camps, highlighting both state regulatory gaps and Camp Mystic’s flawed evacuation plan.
In response to the tragedy, Texas lawmakers passed the Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act, crafted in cooperation with families of the victims. Additionally, a new joint Texas legislative committee has been formed to investigate the response to the floods and identify ways to strengthen the state’s preparedness for future emergencies.
FEMA’s Role and Flood Mapping
Concerns have also been raised about the accuracy of FEMA’s flood maps. Analyses suggest that FEMA’s maps underestimated the flood risk at Camp Mystic, potentially leaving camp officials and parents unaware of the true danger. There are allegations that Camp Mystic successfully petitioned FEMA against including more than a dozen of its buildings in a map of a Special Flood Hazard Area, which would have required the camp to buy flood insurance for those structures.
The Path Forward
The lawsuits against Camp Mystic are ongoing, with families seeking justice and accountability for the loss of their loved ones. The legal proceedings could have significant implications for summer camps and their responsibilities in ensuring the safety of campers.
The tragedy at Camp Mystic serves as a stark reminder of the importance of comprehensive safety protocols, adequate emergency planning, and accurate risk assessment in areas prone to natural disasters. As the legal battles unfold and investigations continue, the focus remains on preventing similar tragedies in the future and holding those responsible accountable.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have been affected by the Camp Mystic flood or have questions about your legal rights, consult with a qualified attorney.