Camp Mystic lacked emergency plans, delayed evacuation before deadly Texas floods, investigators find
A new investigative report into the failed evacuation of Camp Mystic during the deadly July 2025 floods in Central Texas has identified a series of missteps that led to the deaths of campers and counselors.
Investigators told a joint Texas House and Senate committee they reached four conclusions in their exhaustive review of what contributed to the deaths of 28 people, including the camp's director.
Among the findings, investigators said Camp Mystic lacked written emergency plans that complied with state requirements. They also found the camp did not adequately prepare for the storm and did not evacuate in a timely manner despite having ample opportunities.
Investigators further concluded that reunification efforts and incident management were chaotic and had traumatic effects on families.
In total, 27 girls, including two camp counselors, and camp director Dick Eastland died at Camp Mystic when water from the Guadalupe River surged on July 4, 2025, sweeping through the camp on the riverbank.
Texas lawmakers press for accountability
Thursday's hearing followed an April session in which Texas lawmakers sharply criticized the camp's operators, blasting their evacuation planning ahead of the storm.
Camp Mystic withdrew its application for a summer 2026 camp license after that first public hearing.
Inadequate Advance Emergency Planning
Investigators conducted more than 150 interviews and reviewed audio recordings, 911 calls, witness statements and media reports to compile the 115‑page document. They noted that the Eastland family, which has owned the private Christian girls' camp since 1939, cooperated with the investigation. CBS News Texas said it reached out to Camp Mystic for comment but did not receive a response.
The report found that although the camp held the required state license and passed inspections, its written emergency plans lacked key details. A one‑page document titled "Emergency Instructions" included only a single paragraph on flooding, directing campers to stay in their cabins and await further instruction. By contrast, the fire‑response section included specific relocation procedures.
Investigators said the camp also failed to provide adequate staff training for emergencies, including flood evacuations. Despite these deficiencies, a Department of State Health Services inspector signed off on the camp's plans on July 2, 2025 — two days before the flood.
The report also faulted Kerr County officials, saying alerts and warnings issued by the Texas Division of Emergency Management were disregarded. Investigators said county officials were "substantially absent from duty" and failed to coordinate effectively with summer camps.
Flooding disaster
A flood watch had been issued for Kerr County hours before the Guadalupe River swept through the camp on the morning of July 4.
Investigators said 557 girls and at least 39 adults were on-site, not including teenage counselors assigned to cabins. The report details efforts by Dick Eastland, co‑director Edward Eastland, and a night watchman to evacuate cabins using a vehicle as water rose around them.
Investigators faulted the camp for not using its PA system or conducting a cabin‑to‑cabin evacuation. Because the camp lacked a formal evacuation plan and staff training, some counselors attempted to lead campers to higher ground on their own, while others continued sheltering in place.
Dick Eastland died along with 13 campers and two counselors when the SUV they were using to escape was swept away. Eleven other campers died after being swept from their cabin. Another camper died after returning to her cabin to retrieve an item. One camper, Cile Steward, remains missing.
