Families Accuse Owners of
Negligence in Deadly Texas Flood Tragedy
Breaking: Families of 13 girls and 2 counselors killed in the Camp Mystic Texas flood have filed multiple lawsuits against the camp and Eastland family owners, claiming gross negligence led to the preventable deaths of 27 during July 4, 2025, flash floods.
Relatives of young campers and staff who perished in the catastrophic flash floods at a historic Texas Christian girls’ camp have launched legal action against the facility’s operators. The suits, filed this week in Travis County state court, demand over $1 million in damages and highlight what plaintiffs describe as repeated failures to address known flood dangers along the Guadalupe River.
The tragedy unfolded before dawn on July 4, 2025, when sudden torrential rains unleashed deadly waters that overwhelmed low-lying cabins at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas. Among the 27 fatalities—mostly young girls aged 7-12—were campers, teenage counselors, and co-owner Richard “Dick” Eastland, who reportedly died attempting to rescue those in peril. The disaster contributed to a statewide toll exceeding 130 lives, exposing gaps in emergency preparedness across Texas Hill Country.
Gross Negligence Claims: Ignored Warnings and No Evacuation Plan
According to the filings, Camp Mystic’s leadership disregarded multiple red flags, including decades-old FEMA flood zone designations, staff pleas for evacuation, and National Weather Service alerts issued hours before the surge. One suit details how counselors urged relocation as waters rose, only to be overruled by a “never evacuate” policy that prioritized equipment over lives.
“This for-profit operation chose revenue over risk, housing vulnerable children in flood-vulnerable spots to dodge relocation costs,” states one 75-page petition. Plaintiffs allege the camp even lobbied FEMA in the 1990s to reclassify its property as low-risk, avoiding mandatory insurance hikes. Despite state rules requiring emergency protocols, no comprehensive flood evacuation training or siren systems were in place.
- Known Risks Ignored: Cabins built since 1926 sat in a “bullseye” for flash floods, with historical data showing prior near-misses.
- Storm Warnings Dismissed: A 1:14 a.m. alert for “life-threatening” flooding was downplayed; counselors later flipped through outdated manuals under Eastland family guidance.
- Delayed Response: Over an hour was spent saving gear while flood levels climbed, per eyewitness accounts in the suits.
- Family Ties: Some victims’ parents were former campers, underscoring the camp’s generational trust now shattered.
Separate Actions: In addition to the joint suit from families of seven victims, another from the parents of 8-year-old Eloise “Lulu” Peck claims the camp played “Russian Roulette” with lives. A third filing covers six more relatives.
Camp’s Defense: ‘Unprecedented’ Flood, Empathy for Grieving Families
Attorneys for Camp Mystic and the Eastland family express deep sorrow but contest the allegations. “This surge dwarfed any prior event by magnitudes—it was unforeseen, with no reliable early alerts available,” said camp lawyer Jeff Ray in a statement. He vowed to prove the camp’s actions aligned with limited information at the time.
“We pray for the bereaved families and seek divine comfort amid this heartbreak,” Camp Mystic stated. The facility, spanning 725 acres since 1926, plans a partial 2026 reopening—news that has sparked outrage from some plaintiffs, who view it as insensitive.
Broader Impact: New Laws, Calls for Accountability
The Camp Mystic horror has ignited statewide reforms. Texas legislators recently enacted measures banning camps in high-risk flood zones, requiring staff emergency drills, and allocating funds for siren installations. These changes aim to avert future disasters in the flood-prone Guadalupe Valley, where other camps evacuated safely during the same storm.
As investigations continue, the lawsuits spotlight systemic issues: inadequate weather tech, profit-driven site choices, and the human cost of complacency. For affected families, justice means more than compensation—it’s a push to safeguard tomorrow’s campers.
Compiled from court filings and public statements. Daily Trending News 360 stands with grieving families seeking transparency and reform.
