Camp Mystic Flood: Lawsuit Claims Lack of Evacuation Plan Led to Fatalities

The tragic flooding at Camp Mystic on July 4, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 25 campers and two counselors, has spurred multiple lawsuits alleging negligence and a lack of adequate evacuation planning. This devastating event, where the Guadalupe River rose rapidly due to a mesoscale convective vortex enhanced with tropical moisture, has brought summer camp safety regulations and emergency preparedness into sharp focus. The lawsuits claim that the camp failed to protect the children, despite being located in a known flood-prone area, also referred to as “Flash Flood Alley”. The central argument is that Camp Mystic did not have appropriate emergency protocols, specifically an evacuation plan, for floods, leading to the catastrophic loss of life.

The Fateful Flood and its Aftermath

The July 4th flood was particularly destructive in the Texas Hill Country, with the Guadalupe River rising over 26 feet in just 45 minutes. The flood was the deadliest inland flooding event in the United States since the 1976 Big Thompson River flood. Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp, was hosting 750 girls when the disaster struck. The rapid rise of the river caught many by surprise, and the consequences were devastating.

In the immediate aftermath, at least 27 campers and counselors were reported dead, including the camp director, Dick Eastland. The search and rescue operations continued for days, with families and authorities grappling with the scale of the tragedy. The victims included young girls, twin sisters, and dedicated camp staff, leaving families and communities in mourning.

Legal Actions and Allegations of Negligence

The families of the victims have filed lawsuits against Camp Mystic, its owners, and affiliated entities, alleging gross negligence and a reckless disregard for safety. These lawsuits claim that the camp failed to take necessary steps to protect the campers as life-threatening floodwaters approached. The legal actions seek more than $1 million in damages.

Key allegations in the lawsuits include:

Lack of Evacuation Plan: The most prominent claim is that Camp Mystic did not have a sufficient evacuation plan for flood events, despite being located in a high-risk area.
Prioritization of Equipment: It is alleged that camp staff were directed to spend time evacuating equipment while campers and counselors in cabins closest to the Guadalupe River were ordered to remain there.
Misrepresentation of Safety: The lawsuits reference a written policy instructing counselors and campers to stay in their cabins during floods, stating that “all cabins are constructed on high, safe locations,” which the families claim is untrue.
Failure to Monitor Weather: The suits also allege the operators of the camp chose not to make plans to safely evacuate campers, despite state rules requiring such plans, and instead ordered campers and counselors to remain in their cabins as a matter of policy.
Flood Zone Reclassification: In 2013, Camp Mystic successfully petitioned the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to exclude several buildings from a Special Flood Hazard Area, which meant the camp no longer had to buy flood insurance for those structures. The families allege this decision was financially motivated and did not reduce the actual risk.

The lawsuits argue that these failures constitute negligence and directly contributed to the deaths of the campers and counselors.

Camp Mystic’s Response

Camp Mystic’s legal counsel has denied several accusations made in the lawsuit, stating that the floodwaters far exceeded any previous flood in the area and that no adequate warning systems existed. The camp intends to demonstrate that the event was unexpected and that they took appropriate actions under the circumstances.

New Legislation and Evolving Safety Standards

The Camp Mystic tragedy has led to significant legislative changes in Texas aimed at improving the safety of youth camps. Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1 (the Youth CAMPER Act) and Senate Bill 1 (the Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act) into law, enhancing safety measures at Texas summer camps and better protecting Texans from catastrophic flooding events.

Key provisions of the new legislation include:

Emergency Action Plans: Camps are now required to adopt and annually update emergency plans, train staff, orient campers, and notify parents of floodplain risks.
Floodplain Restrictions: The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is prohibited from licensing youth camps with cabins in FEMA-designated floodplains (with limited exceptions).
Emergency Training: Camps must conduct annual emergency training and planning.
Online Registry: An online registry of licensed youth camps will be created.
Facility Standards: Cabins and central camp areas must be located outside of floodplains.
Warning Systems: Camps must operate emergency warning systems to alert campers if something is wrong.
Evacuation Routes: Camps will post evacuation routes in each cabin and ensure the routes are lit at night.

These new laws aim to prevent future tragedies by ensuring that camps are better prepared for severe weather events and other emergencies.

Legal Considerations for Summer Camp Injuries

The Camp Mystic case highlights the legal responsibilities of summer camps to ensure the safety of children in their care. Generally, summer camps owe a “duty of care” to campers, which includes providing adequate supervision, maintaining safe facilities and equipment, and implementing appropriate safety protocols.

When a child is injured at summer camp, several factors are considered to determine liability:

Negligence: To prove negligence, it must be shown that the camp had a duty to protect the child from harm, breached that duty by failing to take reasonable care, and that the breach of duty caused the injury.
Liability Waivers: Many camps require parents to sign liability waivers, but these waivers do not automatically absolve camps of all responsibility. Courts may find waivers unenforceable when they attempt to excuse gross negligence or violations of safety regulations.
Premises Liability: Camps have a duty to keep their premises free from hazards or provide adequate warning about dangers.
Negligent Hiring: Camps can be held liable for negligent hiring practices if they fail to conduct proper background checks on staff members.

If a camp is found to be negligent, it may be liable for damages, including medical expenses, ongoing treatment needs, and emotional trauma.

Advice for Parents

The Camp Mystic tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the importance of due diligence when choosing a summer camp for your child. Here are some steps parents can take to ensure their child’s safety:

Research the Camp: Thoroughly research the camp’s safety record, emergency plans, and staff training procedures.
Visit the Camp: If possible, visit the camp in person to inspect the facilities and meet with the staff.
Ask Questions: Ask detailed questions about the camp’s safety protocols, supervision ratios, and emergency communication plans.
Read Reviews: Read reviews from other parents to get an understanding of their experiences with the camp.
Understand the Waiver: Carefully read and understand any liability waivers before signing them. Be aware of what rights you are waiving and what the camp is still responsible for.
Stay Informed: Stay informed about weather conditions and any potential hazards in the area where the camp is located.

By taking these precautions, parents can help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries at summer camp.

Conclusion

The Camp Mystic flood and the subsequent lawsuits have brought to light critical issues surrounding summer camp safety and emergency preparedness. The tragedy has prompted legislative changes in Texas aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future. As parents, it is essential to be proactive in researching and selecting summer camps that prioritize the safety and well-being of their campers. While the legal battles continue, the focus remains on ensuring that no other family has to endure the pain and loss experienced by the victims of the Camp Mystic flood.