Texas Officials Greenlight Camp Mystic’s Operation Plan Just Days Before Devastating Floods Struck

Two days prior to the devastating flash floods on the Guadalupe River in Texas, which claimed the lives of at least 27 campers and staff members at a Christian girls’ summer camp, a state inspector confirmed the camp’s readiness by approving its operations. The inspector noted that the camp had a written emergency response plan for natural disasters. However, details about the plan remain unclear, as Texas regulations do not require the state to retain copies of such plans; camps simply need to demonstrate they have one in place. Officials from Camp Mystic, now grappling with immense loss, could not be reached for insight into the specifics of their plan or their response during the catastrophic flooding.

In the aftermath of the disaster, many questions have arisen regarding the adequacy of the camp’s emergency response protocols and whether they were effectively implemented as the flash flood struck under the cover of darkness. The Guadalupe River surged dramatically, rising over 20 feet in a single hour due to relentless rain, overwhelming Camp Mystic, where counselors and campers fought to escape the rapidly rising waters. Tragically, some were swept away in the chaos. Former employee Wynne Kennedy expressed her confidence in sending her daughter to camp, citing the camp’s training on extensive flood evacuation plans.

Lucy, Kennedy’s daughter, managed to escape the storm by fleeing her cabin and seeking refuge in a higher elevation recreation hall alongside other campers and staff. The state mandates that summer camps provide written disaster procedures and train their personnel on these plans. Just days before the flood, an inspector affirmed that Camp Mystic met these requirements, having no noted deficiencies. Eight camps in Kerr County are accredited by the American Camp Association; however, Camp Mystic holds no such accreditation.

This tragedy, resulting in over 100 deaths across the Texas Hill Country and many still unaccounted for, has highlighted the need for a reevaluation of flood protection measures in the region, particularly amid changing climate patterns anticipated to increase heavy rainfall events. Historical data reveals that the area has long faced significant flooding challenges, with echoes of past disasters emphasizing the urgent need for improved safety measures.