Tragedy at Camp Mystic: Families File Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Negligent Camp Leaders
The families of six girls who tragically lost their lives in a flooding incident at Camp Mystic have filed a wrongful death lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that camp leaders ignored warnings and delayed evacuations, resulting in the youngest campers being kept in low-lying cabins near the overflowing Guadalupe River. The lawsuit, filed in the Travis County District Court, accuses the camp of negligence and gross negligence for failing to follow flood evacuation plans, move children to higher ground, provide adequate training and communication systems, and operate children's cabins in flood-prone areas despite known risks.
According to the lawsuit, forecasters had issued warnings about the risk of flooding on July 3, but the camp did not take proactive measures to prevent the tragedy. On the night of July 4, when floodwaters overtook the camp, the lawsuit alleges that camp leaders prioritized securing equipment over evacuating the young children to safety. The Kerr County Sheriff's Office received its first emergency call about hazardous conditions at 2 a.m., and counselors reported cabins taking on water at 2:10 a.m. Despite the worsening conditions, counselors were instructed to shelter in place without access to phones, radios, or walkie-talkies.
Photos timestamped at 3:26 a.m. show campers still able to walk toward higher ground as water rose across the property. By 3:44 a.m., doors were breaking open, and water rushed in. Apple Watch data allegedly recorded submersion at 3:51 a.m. and 4:09 a.m., with an emergency call from the camp logged at 3:59 a.m. The families of the girls argue that the youngest campers were kept in cabins near the river even as water rose, despite nearby safer options for evacuation.
The lawsuit includes a one-page "Emergency Instructions" sheet recovered from a counselor's trunk after the flood, which contradicted the camp's guidance to stay inside during floods and claimed that all cabins were constructed on high, safe ground. The families point out that the camp is located in a FEMA-mapped flood hazard area known as "Flood Alley," with federal maps indicating that cabins are situated in floodways and floodplains. The lawsuit names the six girls who lost their lives and highlights the camp's history of major floods dating back to 1932.
In response to the tragedy, Camp Mystic expressed condolences to the families and emphasized the unprecedented nature of the flood. The camp's legal counsel stated that the floodwaters exceeded previous levels by a significant margin and that adequate warning systems were lacking in the area. Camp Mystic intends to address the accusations and misinformation in the legal filings in due course.
The lawsuit details the events leading up to the flooding, starting with Texas emergency officials activating a flood response on July 2. The National Weather Service issued flood warnings on July 3, with a Flood Watch, rapid onset flooding warning, and Flood Advisory for Kerr County. On July 4, an Emergency Flash Flood Warning was issued at 1:14 a.m., alerting camp leaders to the life-threatening flash flooding. Despite the warnings, the camp's response was criticized for delays in evacuations and inadequate communication during the crisis.
In conclusion, the families of the girls who lost their lives in the tragic flooding at Camp Mystic have filed a wrongful death lawsuit alleging negligence and gross negligence on the part of camp leaders. The lawsuit highlights the camp's failure to heed warnings, delay evacuations, and keep children in unsafe cabins near the overflowing river. The legal proceedings will shed light on the events leading up to the tragedy and seek accountability for the loss of young lives in the devastating flood.