Texas Summer Camp Faces Scrutiny After Deadly Flood

Camp Mystic director testifies he didn't see flood warnings before deadly 2025 disaster

Apr. 14, 2026 at 1:18am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A vast, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a devastating flood, with physical structures and objects dwarfed by the overwhelming power of the natural disaster.The devastating flood at Camp Mystic exposed the camp's lack of preparedness and the need for greater oversight of summer camps in Texas.Austin Today

The director of the Texas summer camp where 27 campers and counselors were killed by a devastating flood in 2025 said he did not see early federal and state warnings issued the day before the storm hit, and that staff had no meetings about the pending danger. Camp Mystic is now facing lawsuits and an investigation as it seeks to reopen this summer.

Why it matters

The deadly flood at Camp Mystic has raised questions about the camp's preparedness and whether officials failed to take necessary steps to protect campers as life-threatening floodwaters approached. The camp's efforts to reopen have outraged victims' families and drawn scrutiny from state authorities.

The details

Camp Mystic director Edward Eastland testified that he and other staff were signed up for an emergency warning system, but he said he did not see flood watch social media posts by the National Weather Service and the Texas Department of Emergency Management on July 2 and 3rd. Eastland said he wasn't following those agencies on social media and thought the local 'CodeRED' mobile phone alert system and phone weather apps staff had at the time 'was enough.' A July 3 National Weather Service alert warned of the potential for flash flooding, but Eastland said he did not believe camp staff held a meeting about the alerts and warnings that day.

  • On July 2 and 3, the National Weather Service and Texas Department of Emergency Management issued flood watch alerts on social media.
  • On July 3, the National Weather Service issued an alert warning of the potential for flash flooding.
  • The deadly flood hit the camp overnight on July 3-4, 2025.

The players

Edward Eastland

The director of Camp Mystic, the Texas summer camp where 27 campers and counselors were killed by a devastating flood in 2025.

Richard Eastland

The co-owner of Camp Mystic and father of Edward Eastland, who was killed in the 2025 flood.

Brad Beckworth

An attorney representing families who have sued Camp Mystic.

Dan Patrick

The Texas Lt. Governor, who has said the camp's license should be denied while state lawmakers and agencies investigate.

Texas Rangers

The state's elite investigations unit that is helping look into allegations of neglect against Camp Mystic.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

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

— Edward Eastland, Camp Mystic director

“You were warned.”

— Brad Beckworth, Attorney

“The water was rising faster than anything I have ever witnessed.”

— Unnamed counselor

What’s next

Texas health regulators said they are investigating hundreds of complaints filed against the camp owners, and the Texas Rangers are also helping look into allegations of neglect.

The takeaway

The deadly flood at Camp Mystic has raised serious questions about the camp's preparedness and emergency response procedures, as well as the oversight and regulation of summer camps in Texas. The camp's efforts to reopen have outraged victims' families and drawn intense scrutiny from state authorities.