Hunt, TX, July 9, 2025 – Just two days before catastrophic flooding killed at least 27 people, mostly children, at Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe River, Texas inspectors signed off on the camp’s emergency plan, according to records released by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) on July 8, 2025. The approval, detailed in a July 2 inspection report, has raised questions about the adequacy of the camp’s preparedness for the torrential rainfall that struck Texas Hill Country on July 4, 2025, causing widespread devastation.

The Tragedy at Camp Mystic

Camp Mystic, established in 1926, was overwhelmed by a flash flood in the early morning hours of July 4, when the Guadalupe River surged from 14 feet (4.2 meters) to 29.5 feet (9 meters) within 60 minutes, far exceeding the 10-foot (3-meter) flood threshold for that stretch. The flood, described as a “wall of water,” swept through cabins, tents, and trailers, killing at least 27 campers and counselors, including the camp’s beloved director, Richard “Dick” Eastland. As of July 8, five campers and one counselor remained missing, with search efforts ongoing. Survivors were found clinging to trees, and the camp’s Recreation Hall and surrounding structures were heavily damaged.

The flooding, part of a broader disaster that claimed over 110 lives and left 161 missing in Kerr County, was fueled by 9.5 to 12.2 inches (24–31 cm) of rain, as recorded by Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority gauges. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flood watch for the area on July 3 at 1:18 p.m., and flash flood warnings followed Thursday night, providing over three hours of lead time. However, Camp Mystic did not evacuate, unlike at least one of the 18 other camps along the river that moved campers to higher ground.

Inspection and Emergency Plan Details

The DSHS inspection on July 2, conducted the same day the Texas Division of Emergency Management activated response resources, found no deficiencies or violations at Camp Mystic. The camp, hosting 557 campers and over 100 staff across its Guadalupe River and Cypress Lake locations, complied with Texas Administrative Code requirements for emergency planning. These included:

• A written plan for disasters, serious accidents, epidemics, or fatalities, posted in all permanent and semi-permanent buildings.
• Staff and volunteer training on the plan during orientation.
• Instructions for campers on evacuation procedures and assigned duties for staff and counselors.

Lara Anton, DSHS spokesperson, emphasized that camps develop their own plans, which inspectors review for compliance but do not retain. “We do not have them,” Anton told The Associated Press, directing inquiries to the camp. Camp Mystic did not respond to requests for comment on its plan’s specifics, stating only on its website that it is cooperating with authorities searching for the missing.

Five years of inspection reports, obtained by CNN and The Associated Press, show consistent compliance with safety regulations, though minor violations in prior years involved food preparation and documentation for riflery and equine instructors. The July 2 report confirmed that buildings met safety codes, with no structural hazards noted, despite some cabins being in the Guadalupe River’s regulatory floodways, areas prone to rapid flooding, per federal flood maps.

Questions and Challenges

The approval of Camp Mystic’s plan has sparked debate about its effectiveness. Charlotte Lauten, a 19-year-old former camper, told AP she never received weather emergency instructions during her nine summers at the camp, though counselors underwent a week of training. A power outage at 4 a.m. on July 4 disabled the camp’s loudspeaker system, and a no-phone policy for campers and counselors, combined with poor cell service in the remote area, hindered communication, according to counselor Caroline Cutrona in a CNN interview. Texas regulations do not address flood zone risks, and inspections did not account for the camp’s vulnerable location.

Local officials have dodged questions about weather monitoring and preparedness, focusing on recovery efforts. The NWS Austin/San Antonio office, staffed with five meteorologists during the event, issued timely warnings, refuting claims of understaffing due to NOAA budget cuts, as noted by ABC News. However, U.S. Geological Survey gauges near Hunt and Kerrville failed during the flood, with one recording a peak of 29.5 feet at 4:35 a.m. before malfunctioning; a later high-water mark reached 37.52 feet (11.44 meters).

Broader Context and Calls for Accountability

The tragedy has drawn national attention, with Texas Governor Greg Abbott mourning the victims after a July 8 flyover, calling the loss of young lives “heart-wrenching.” Senator Ted Cruz described the agony of missing children as “the worst thing imaginable.” Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer called for an investigation into NOAA staffing, while White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and Cruz dismissed attempts to politicize the disaster.

Camp Mystic is licensed by Texas and a member of the Camping Association for Mutual Progress, but it is not accredited by the American Camp Association, which emphasizes safety standards. The camp’s failure to evacuate, despite warnings, and the lack of detailed plan disclosure have fueled calls for a broader review, as reported by KXAN. Experts note the flood’s intensity, driven by “Flash Flood Alley’s” steep terrain, was difficult to predict fully, but questions persist about the camp’s layout and communication failures.

Conclusion

The DSHS approval of Camp Mystic’s emergency plan on July 2, 2025, underscores the complexity of ensuring safety in flood-prone areas. While the camp met state requirements, the catastrophic outcome highlights gaps in execution, communication, and possibly plan specificity. As recovery continues, the tragedy prompts urgent discussions about enhancing camp safety standards and weather preparedness. For updates, visit apnews.com or cnn.com.