Camp Mystic Director Didn't See Flood Warnings Before Deadly Storm in Texas

Camp Mystic director admits he did not see flood warnings before the storm. This comes as 27 young lives were lost and deaths are still not officially reported.
By Newsroom | Camp Safety, Natural Disasters |

Testimony Reveals Lack of Formal Evacuation Plans and Unacknowledged Flood Alerts

"The water was churning."

Camp Mystic officials, specifically director Edward Eastland, have testified that deaths resulting from the recent deadly floods have still not been officially reported to a state agency. This disclosure comes as the camp navigates a civil lawsuit and prepares for a partial re-opening, with a temporary restraining order barring full access to its Guadalupe River campus still in effect. The testimony, delivered in a Travis County courtroom, also highlighted a disturbing lack of preparedness and communication concerning the imminent danger.

Camp Mystic officials, including director Edward Eastland, have testified that the fatalities from the recent flood have yet to be officially reported to any state agency. This significant omission raises immediate questions about transparency and accountability in the aftermath of the tragedy that claimed 27 young lives.

During court proceedings, Edward Eastland acknowledged that the Christian girls camp possessed no detailed written flood evacuation plan. He further conceded that more campers might have survived had he, his late father and co-owner Richard Eastland, and a camp safety director acted more swiftly to evacuate. Eastland stated he retired for the night around 11 p.m., never receiving a National Weather Service flash flood warning issued at 1:14 a.m. on the night of the storm. He suggested his father typically handled weather monitoring, and he did not believe camp staff convened to discuss the day's alerts and warnings.

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The court hearing, presided over by Judge Mayra Guerra Gamble, also delved into the timeline of events on the night of the flood. A temporary restraining order issued in March continues to prevent Camp Mystic from fully reopening its Guadalupe River site. This legal restraint underscores the gravity of the situation and the ongoing investigation into the camp's operational conduct.

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Separately, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has publicly advocated for the non-renewal of Camp Mystic's license, a strong stance indicating significant dissatisfaction with the camp's safety protocols and post-disaster management.

Family Members Also Testify

In addition to Edward Eastland's testimony, other family members connected to Camp Mystic also took the stand. Mary Liz Eastland, identified as the camp's health director and a nurse, and Britt Eastland also provided statements. Edward Eastland is the son of Dick Eastland, the former camp director who tragically perished during the flood while attempting to rescue campers. The involvement of multiple family members in leadership roles and their subsequent testimonies paint a complex picture of the camp's internal structure and decision-making processes. Camp operators have indicated that nearly 900 girls were registered to attend.

Camp Mystic | Flood Warnings | Court Hearing

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are Camp Mystic leaders being questioned?
Camp Mystic director Edward Eastland testified that he did not see flood warnings before the deadly storm. He also said the camp had no written evacuation plan.
Q: Were the deaths at Camp Mystic officially reported?
Director Edward Eastland testified that the deaths from the recent flood have not been officially reported to any state agency. This is happening while the camp faces a lawsuit and prepares for a partial re-opening.
Q: Did Camp Mystic have a plan to evacuate campers during floods?
Edward Eastland admitted in court that the camp did not have a detailed written flood evacuation plan. He suggested more campers might have survived if they had acted faster.
Q: When were the flood warnings issued?
A National Weather Service flash flood warning was issued at 1:14 a.m. on the night of the storm, but Edward Eastland stated he retired for the night around 11 p.m. and did not receive it.
Q: Can Camp Mystic open its campus now?
A court order from March still stops Camp Mystic from fully opening its Guadalupe River campus. This shows the seriousness of the situation and the ongoing review of the camp's actions.
Q: What is the Lieutenant Governor's opinion on Camp Mystic?
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick wants Camp Mystic's license to not be renewed. This shows he is very unhappy with the camp's safety rules and how they handled the situation after the flood.