State Approval Preceded Catastrophe at Camp Mystic
A state agency in Texas signed off on the emergency planning for Camp Mystic just two days before a catastrophic flood on July 4, 2025, killed at least 27 campers and counselors at the prominent all-girls Christian summer camp in the Texas Hill Country. The approval by inspectors with the Texas Department of State Health Services occurred on July 2, 2025, according to records released on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
The records indicate that the camp, a long-standing institution established in 1926, was found to be in compliance with state regulations concerning “procedures to be implemented in case of a disaster.” These procedures reportedly included instructing campers on evacuation protocols and assigning specific duties to staff members in an emergency scenario.
Questions Emerge Over Preparedness Details
Despite the state’s approval, questions are now mounting regarding the specifics and adequacy of Camp Mystic’s disaster plans. Five years of inspection reports obtained by the Associated Press do not contain detailed descriptions of these emergency procedures. This lack of detail in the publicly available records raises concerns about the depth of the state’s review and the actual level of preparedness at the camp ahead of the deadly flood.
Warnings Issued Before the Deluge
The tragic events of July 4, 2025, unfolded after weather authorities had issued warnings for the area. The National Weather Service had issued a flood watch for the region surrounding Camp Mystic on July 3, 2025, at 1:18 p.m., signaling the potential for dangerous flooding conditions.
Situated along the Guadalupe River, Camp Mystic is one of approximately 18 camps operating in the vicinity. While at least one other camp in the area reportedly took proactive measures by moving campers to higher ground in response to the flood watch, Camp Mystic did not initiate an evacuation.
At the time the flood struck, Camp Mystic housed a significant population across its Guadalupe and Cypress Lake locations, including 557 campers and over 100 staffers.
Rapid River Rise Overwhelmed Camp
The early morning hours of July 4, 2025, saw an unprecedented and rapid surge in the Guadalupe River’s water level. The river rose dramatically from its normal level of 14 feet (4.2 meters) to a staggering 29.5 feet (9 meters) in the span of just 60 minutes. This sudden and intense rise overwhelmed structures across the camp, including cabins, tents, and trailers.
First responders and search teams faced challenging conditions in the immediate aftermath. The confirmed death toll stands at at least 27 campers and counselors, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters to strike a summer camp in Texas history.
Search Continues for Missing
As of Tuesday, July 8, 2025, search efforts were ongoing for individuals who remained unaccounted for. Authorities reported that five campers and one counselor were still missing following the flood.
The tragedy has brought intense scrutiny upon the camp’s decisions and the state’s oversight processes. Local officials, however, have reportedly been reluctant to answer questions regarding their monitoring of weather conditions and the specific measures, if any, that were considered or taken in the hours preceding the flood.
The incident at Camp Mystic highlights the critical importance of robust and clearly defined disaster plans, especially for facilities hosting vulnerable populations in areas prone to severe weather events. It also underscores the need for transparency and potential re-evaluation of state oversight protocols to ensure that approved plans are not merely paperwork, but actionable strategies capable of saving lives when disaster strikes.
