Camp Mystic flooding victims sue Texas for allegedly failing to enforce evacuation plan requirement
#Camp Mystic lawsuit#Texas flooding#Evacuation plan failure#Child safety regulations#Guadalupe River flood#Dan Patrick#Camp licensing
📌 Key Takeaways
Families of nine victims sue Texas officials for failing to enforce Camp Mystic's required evacuation plan
The lawsuit alleges the camp had an 'anti-evacuation policy' that prohibited evacuating cabins during floods
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick urged the state not to issue Camp Mystic's 2026 license
Camp Mystic plans to reopen at a new Cypress Lake location away from the Guadalupe River
One 8-year-old camper, Cecilia 'Cile' Steward, remains missing from the flooding event
📖 Full Retelling
Families of nine victims of last summer's deadly flooding at Camp Mystic in Texas filed a lawsuit on February 23, 2026, against the Texas Department of State Health Services and six of its officials, alleging they failed to enforce a requirement that the camp have an evacuation plan, which contributed to the deaths of 27 campers and counselors during the July 4, 2025 flood. The civil claim, filed in U.S. District Court in Austin, alleges that state officials denied the victims their constitutional right to 'life and bodily integrity' by approving Camp Mystic's licenses despite the camp lacking a required evacuation plan. The nine victims represented include seven girls attending the summer Christian camp and two teen counselors who lost their lives when floodwaters rose rapidly at the riverside facility. The lawsuit specifically claims that camp staff panicked during the flooding because they had no evacuation plan, delaying movement of the girls until it was too late. 'They died because the camp had no plan to evacuate the riverside cabins where the girls slept,' the suit states, noting that Camp Mystic's policy was actually for campers not to evacuate during a flood. In response to the tragedy and the lawsuit, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick sent a letter to Department of State Health Services Commissioner Jennifer Shuford urging her to deny the camp a 2026 license, stating that public information on Camp Mystic's website doesn't acknowledge the flood deaths and that owner Richard 'Dick' Eastland remains in charge. Camp Mystic has announced plans to reopen this summer at a newer Cypress Lake location, which they claim is independent from the Guadalupe River site of the fatal flooding, maintaining that the new facility complies with all state safety laws.
This lawsuit highlights concerns about the state of Texas’s oversight of youth camps, specifically regarding safety regulations and evacuation plans. The families allege negligence on the part of the Department of State Health Services in approving Camp Mystic’s licenses despite a lack of a required evacuation plan, contributing to the tragic deaths of 27 campers and counselors. The case raises broader questions about the state’s responsibility to ensure the safety of children attending camps in flood-prone areas.
Context & Background
The 2025 flooding in Hunt, Texas, caused significant damage and resulted in multiple deaths, including those at Camp Mystic.
Camp Mystic’s Guadalupe River location experienced a deadly flood, prompting investigations and scrutiny of camp safety regulations.
Camp Mystic is attempting to reopen at a new Cypress Lake location, claiming compliance with updated safety laws.
What Happens Next
The lawsuit will proceed through the legal system, likely involving discovery and potentially a trial. Legislative committees are expected to investigate the events leading up to the flooding and the DSHS’s actions. Lt. Gov. Patrick’s urging to deny Camp Mystic a license will likely influence the DSHS’s decision-making process. The outcome of the lawsuit could set a precedent for future camp safety regulations in Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Camp Mystic?
Camp Mystic was a Christian summer camp located on the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas, that experienced a devastating flood in July 2025, resulting in multiple deaths.
What are the allegations against the Texas Department of State Health Services?
The lawsuit alleges that the DSHS failed to enforce a requirement that Camp Mystic have an evacuation plan, approving licenses despite the camp’s ‘anti-evacuation plan’ which prohibited campers from evacuating during a flood.
What is the current status of Cecilia Steward?
8-year-old Cecilia ‘Cile’ Steward is still missing following the flooding at Camp Mystic.
What is the significance of the Cypress Lake location?
Camp Mystic is attempting to reopen at its new Cypress Lake location, claiming it is separate from the original Guadalupe River camp and is compliant with updated safety laws.
Original Source
Camp Mystic flooding victims sue Texas for allegedly failing to enforce evacuation plan requirement The lawsuit targets the Texas Department of State Health Services and several of its officials. On Monday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick urged the department not to issue the camp's 2026 license. Caution tape covers the entrance of Camp Mystic on July 7, 2025 in Hunt, Texas. In a new lawsuit, the families of nine victims allege Texas officials failed to enforce a requirement that the camp have an evacuation plan. Brandon Bell / Getty Images file Share Add NBC News to Google Feb. 23, 2026, 11:06 PM EST By Dennis Romero and Joe Kottke Listen to this article with a free account 00:00 00:00 Families of nine victims of last summer's deadly flooding in Texas are suing the state for allegedly failing to enforce a requirement that a girls' camp where 27 campers and counselors died have an evacuation plan. The civil claim, filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Austin, alleges the Texas Department of State Health Services and six of its officials denied the victims their constitutional right to "life and bodily integrity" by approving Camp Mystic's licenses even though, the suit claims, it lacked a required evacuation plan. The nine victims represented include seven girls who were attending the summer Christian camp and two teen girls there as camp counselors. The suit alleges that a lack of an evacuation plan caused camp staff to panic as the floodwaters rose on July 4, causing them to delay moving the girls to safety "until it was too late." "They died because the camp had no plan to evacuate the riverside cabins where the girls slept," the suit says. "Instead, the camp’s stated policy was for campers not to evacuate during a flood." Camp Mystic did not respond to a request for comment about the suit. Twenty-five of the girls who died in the flooding have been described as being between 8 and 10 years old. Two teen counselors also died, as did Camp Mystic owner Richard "Dick" Eastlan...
