Families of victims from the tragic flooding at Camp Mystic in Texas have filed a lawsuit, alleging that the camp’s leadership failed to act promptly during a critical hour on July 4, 2023. The lawsuit claims that instead of evacuating campers, key figures at the all-girls retreat focused on securing equipment as torrential floodwaters surged through the site.
The suit was filed on March 15, 2024, in a state court in Austin, Texas. It names both Camp Mystic and members of the Eastland family, who have operated the camp for generations. The families of five campers and two counsellors who lost their lives that night have accused the camp’s leadership of being overconfident and ill-prepared for severe flooding, despite having received significant warnings.
At 01:14, the National Weather Service issued a warning about “life-threatening flash flooding.” According to the lawsuit, Dick Eastland, the camp’s executive director, and his son Edward Eastland, who also holds a leadership position, ignored urgent requests from camp counsellors for assistance. The suit argues that they wasted valuable time before attempting any rescue, only to realize it was too late.
Tragically, two counsellors and 25 young campers died, the majority of whom were from two cabins designed for the youngest girls. Notably, Dick Eastland, aged 70, was also among the deceased. The lawsuit highlights that while other camps along the Guadalupe River evacuated successfully, Camp Mystic was the only sleepaway camp where fatalities occurred.
The legal action states, “These young girls died because a for-profit camp put profit over safety.” In a separate lawsuit filed the same day, the parents of eight-year-old Eloise Peck echoed similar concerns regarding the camp’s emergency planning.
Public comments from the Eastland family regarding their actions during the flood have been sparse. Their attorney, Mikal Watts, has not responded to recent requests for comment. However, he previously described the evacuation as “orderly” and largely successful during a CNN interview in late October.
As the investigations continue, the tragic events at Camp Mystic raise critical questions about the preparedness of recreational facilities in the face of natural disasters. Families of the victims seek accountability and hope to prevent such a disaster from happening again in the future.
