In a court hearing, the Texas summer camp director disclosed that he was unaware of official flood warnings issued the day before a fatal storm struck, leading to the tragic deaths of 27 campers and counselors. Edward Eastland admitted that the camp lacked a written flood evacuation plan and that quicker decisions to evacuate could have saved lives during the historic flood along the Guadalupe River on July 4, 2025.
Eastland’s testimony, which was emotionally charged, was witnessed by families of the deceased campers. He expressed regret over the camp’s operations that summer and recognized the potential for lives to have been spared with prompt actions. Despite being signed up for emergency alerts and using weather apps, Eastland claimed he missed flood warnings posted by authorities on social media.
The camp director stated that they did not anticipate the severity of the storm, emphasizing that they believed existing alert systems were sufficient. The tragic incident claimed the lives of 25 young girls and two teenage counselors, as well as Richard Eastland, the camp co-owner.
One parent, Cici Steward, whose daughter remains missing from the camp tragedy, called for the camp’s license to be revoked, citing their apparent inability to ensure child safety. The flash flooding that swept through Texas resulted in the loss of at least 136 lives along the Guadalupe River.
During the hearing, it was revealed that Eastland went to bed before receiving crucial alerts and warnings, eventually leading to the decision to evacuate cabins at 3 a.m. The court session included testimony from a counselor who described the harrowing events of that fateful night, highlighting the rapid rise of floodwaters and the desperate attempts to protect the campers.
As legal proceedings continue, investigations into the camp’s ownership are ongoing following numerous complaints. Meanwhile, Camp Mystic is seeking to renew its license to reopen in a non-flood-prone area, despite facing lawsuits from victims’ families and their demands to preserve evidence from the site.