Camp Mystic Flood Tragedy: Families File Negligence Lawsuits After Deadly Texas Flood

The catastrophic flooding that struck Camp Mystic on July 4, 2025, claiming the lives of 25 campers, two counselors, and the camp’s owner, has spurred multiple families to file negligence lawsuits against the camp and its owners. This tragedy, described as one of the deadliest floods in Texas history, has ignited a debate about safety, responsibility, and the duty of care that summer camps owe to the children under their supervision. With damages sought exceeding $1 million per family, these lawsuits aim to hold Camp Mystic accountable for what the plaintiffs allege was an entirely preventable disaster.

The Fateful Night: A Timeline of Tragedy

The lawsuits paint a grim picture of the events leading up to the flood. Despite a flash flood watch issued by the National Weather Service on July 3rd and a subsequent flash flood warning early on July 4th, families are claiming that camp directors allegedly delayed evacuation efforts. Instead, staff were reportedly directed to secure camp equipment and vehicles before moving campers to safety.

According to court filings, at approximately 1:14 a.m. on July 4th, the National Weather Service upgraded the alert to a flash-flood warning, describing “life-threatening conditions.” It is alleged that camp directors Richard “Dick” Eastland and his son, Edward Eastland, received this warning but did not immediately begin evacuations. Some cabins were evacuated between 2:30 and 3:30 a.m., while others, including the cabins housing the youngest campers, were told to remain in place.

The lawsuits claim that a written camp policy instructed counselors and campers to stay in their cabins during floods, falsely stating that “all cabins are constructed on high, safe locations.” This misinformation allegedly caused confusion and delayed evacuation efforts. By the time the floodwaters surged through the cabins, it was too late for many to escape.

Allegations of Negligence and Gross Negligence

The core of the lawsuits against Camp Mystic centers on allegations of negligence and gross negligence. The families contend that the camp and its owners:

Ignored Known Flood Risks: Camp Mystic is located on the banks of the Guadalupe River in an area known as “Flash Flood Alley,” with a history of severe flooding. The lawsuits allege that the owners were well aware of these risks but failed to take adequate precautions.
Lacked Adequate Safety Procedures: The lawsuits claim that Camp Mystic did not have a sufficient flood evacuation plan and that staff were not properly trained to respond to such emergencies.
Failed to Warn: The families allege that the camp misrepresented the danger to parents and campers, falsely claiming that the cabins were located in safe areas.
Prioritized Property Over Lives: According to the lawsuits, camp leaders directed staff to secure equipment before evacuating campers, demonstrating a disregard for human safety.
Restricted Communication: The lawsuits state that counselors were barred from using cell phones, leaving them without communication once the power failed.

These alleged failures, the families argue, constitute negligence and gross negligence, defined under Texas law as conduct that poses an extreme risk of harm and shows conscious indifference to the safety of others.

Legal Grounds: Wrongful Death, Premises Liability, and More

The lawsuits assert various legal claims, including:

Wrongful Death: This claim seeks compensation for the loss of life caused by the camp’s alleged negligence.
Premises Liability: This claim holds property owners responsible for injuries or deaths that occur on their property due to unsafe conditions.
Negligence: As described above, this claim asserts that the camp failed to exercise reasonable care in protecting the campers and counselors.
Gross Negligence: This claim alleges that the camp’s conduct was so reckless and indifferent to the safety of others that it warrants exemplary damages.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty: This claim asserts that the camp breached its duty to act in the best interests of the campers and counselors.
Survival Action: This claim allows the deceased’s estate to pursue claims for damages the deceased suffered before death, such as pain and suffering.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: One lawsuit includes this claim, alleging that camp officials sent misleading messages after the flood, suggesting children were “unaccounted for” even after learning of their deaths, causing further emotional distress to the families.

The Defense: A Failure of Regional Flood-Warning Systems?

Camp Mystic has not publicly commented on the litigation. However, prominent trial lawyer Mikal Watts, representing the camp and the Eastland family pro bono, has suggested that the tragedy resulted from a failure of regional flood-warning systems, not negligence by camp leadership. Watts told the Texas Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness that the camp staff heroically saved 163 girls before the floodwaters overwhelmed the site.

The Aftermath: Reopening Plans and Legislative Changes

In September 2025, Camp Mystic announced plans to reopen the Cypress Lake location (separate from the flooded area) next summer and build a memorial to the victims. This decision drew criticism from the victim’s families, who felt they were not consulted and viewed the memorial as a potential “recruiting tool.”

In response to the tragedy, parents of the victims successfully pushed for new campground safety laws in Texas. These measures aim to improve the safety of children’s camps by prohibiting cabins in dangerous flood zones, requiring detailed emergency plans and staff training, and mandating the installation and maintenance of emergency warning systems.

Seeking Justice and Preventing Future Tragedies

The Camp Mystic flood tragedy has raised critical questions about the safety and oversight of summer camps in Texas. The negligence lawsuits filed by the families seek not only compensation for their devastating losses but also accountability for the alleged failures that led to the deaths of their loved ones. As these cases proceed through the courts, they are likely to have a significant impact on the standards of care expected of summer camps and the measures they must take to protect the children entrusted to their supervision.

If your child has been injured at a summer camp due to negligence, it is crucial to understand your legal rights. Contacting a qualified personal injury attorney can help you assess your options and pursue the compensation you deserve.