Camp Mystic director testifies he missed flood warnings before deadly July 4 floods

The camp's evacuation plans and alert systems were inadequate, according to court testimony.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 1:22pm

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of gray, blue, and green, depicting a serene river valley shrouded in heavy fog and dwarfed by towering, dramatic storm clouds, conveying the overwhelming power of nature.The deadly July 4 floods at Camp Mystic exposed the camp's lack of emergency preparedness and the overwhelming force of nature.Austin Today

The director of Camp Mystic, Edward Eastland, testified in court that he did not see weather warning alerts sent a day before the deadly July 4 floods last year that claimed the lives of 27 campers and counselors. Eastland also admitted the camp had no detailed written evacuation plans and did not use its loudspeakers to alert people of the impending floods.

Why it matters

The testimony raises serious questions about Camp Mystic's preparedness and response to the deadly floods, which have led to multiple lawsuits from victims' families. The camp's license is now in jeopardy as investigations continue into the tragedy.

The details

According to court documents, Camp Mystic co-owner Richard Eastland, who died in the floods and was also Edward Eastland's father, called in the order to evacuate the camp around 3 a.m. the night of the floods. This was near the same time the Guadalupe River began to surge, rising from 10 feet to roughly 37.5 feet in under two hours before the flood gauge broke. However, Richard Eastland had called Edward Eastland an hour earlier, at 2 a.m., to move canoes and water equipment away from the rivers due to the heavy rain.

  • On July 3, the Texas Department of Emergency Management Resources and the National Weather Service both issued flood warnings in the day and hours leading up to the deadly floods.
  • Around 2 a.m. on July 4, Richard Eastland called Edward Eastland to move equipment away from the rivers due to heavy rain.
  • Around 3 a.m. on July 4, Richard Eastland called in the order to evacuate the camp as the Guadalupe River surged.

The players

Edward Eastland

The director of Camp Mystic who testified that he did not see weather warning alerts sent a day before the deadly July 4 floods.

Richard Eastland

The co-owner of Camp Mystic who died in the floods and was also Edward Eastland's father. He called in the order to evacuate the camp around 3 a.m. the night of the floods.

Brad Beckworth

The attorney for the victims' families, who questioned Eastland about the camp's lack of preparedness for the floods.

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick

He says Camp Mystic's license should be denied while investigations into families' lawsuits continue.

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What they’re saying

“Between 2:26 and 10:00 p.m. on July 3rd, did Camp Mystic take any steps to prepare for this potential flooding and flash flood?”

— Brad Beckworth, Attorney for victims' families

“We did not expect what was going to happen.”

— Edward Eastland, Camp Mystic director

What’s next

The hearing will continue in Austin at 9 a.m. today. Camp Mystic's defense team has yet to speak.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical importance of emergency preparedness, clear communication, and robust evacuation plans, especially for camps and other facilities responsible for the safety of vulnerable populations. The testimony raises serious concerns about Camp Mystic's response and the potential consequences they now face.