by Kerr County, TX – Families of six children and two counselors who lost their lives in a devastating July flooding at Camp Mystic, a Texas summer camp for girls, have filed two separate lawsuits alleging negligence against the camp’s owners and others involved. The tragic incident, which resulted in the deaths of 27 campers and counselors during flash floods, has raised serious questions about the camp’s disaster preparedness and safety practices.
The lawsuits claim Camp Mystic, located in a known flash flood zone along the Guadalupe River dubbed “Flash Flood Alley,” failed to implement legally required evacuation plans, ignored warnings, and prioritized property over lives.
Allegations of Negligence and Mismanagement at Camp Mystic
According to the lawsuits, Camp Mystic operated despite knowing the significant flood risks. Lawyers representing five children and two counselors insist the camp ignored repeated weather warnings and chose to evacuate equipment rather than campers during the rising waters. One lawsuit details that campers and counselors in two cabins were ordered to remain in place while others were moved to higher ground about 300 feet away.
“With the river rising, the Camp chose to direct its groundskeepers to spend over an hour evacuating camp equipment, not its campers and counselors,” the lawsuit states. “Finally, when it was too late, the Camp made a hopeless ‘rescue’ effort from its self-created disaster.”
The families argue that Camp Mystic’s failure to act appropriately led to the tragic loss of 25 campers, two counselors, and the camp director.
Camp Mystic Responds to Lawsuits
Camp Mystic’s lawyer, Jeff Ray, responded by describing the scale of the flood as unprecedented and unexpected. He disputed claims in the lawsuits, asserting that the floodwaters’ sudden surge was beyond any previous records or warnings and that adequate warning systems were not in place in the area.
“We intend to demonstrate and prove that this sudden surge of floodwaters far exceeded any previous flood in the area by several magnitudes,” Ray said.
Historical Flood Risks and Family Lawsuit
Another lawsuit filed by the family of 8-year-old Eloise “Lulu” Peck targets the camp and others, citing that the camp owners were aware as far back as 1932 that cabins were situated directly in the path of potential Guadalupe River floodwaters. The suit accuses the owners of playing “Russian Roulette with the lives of the little girls” by failing to inform parents of these risks.
The Pecks seek damages exceeding $1 million for wrongful death and related claims, emphasizing the breach of parental trust:
“There is no greater trust than when a parent entrusts the care of their child to another. Parents don’t send their children to summer camp to die. Camp Mystic and the people who ran it betrayed that trust,” the lawsuit states.
Background on the Flooding Disaster
The flooding occurred during early July 4, when the Guadalupe River rose over 20 feet within hours due to slow-moving thunderstorms and the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry, according to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA. The region had been experiencing drought since late 2021, making soils hard and prone to flash flooding from heavy rains.
- Over 11 inches of rain fell within a few hours, with some areas exceeding 20 inches total.
- More than 130 people died in the floods across six Texas counties; Kerr County reported at least 117 deaths.
- Camp Mystic plans a partial reopening next year with a monument to victims.
For more detailed coverage, see the full report at NBC News.
Looking Ahead: Accountability and Healing
The families affected remain devastated yet determined that Camp Mystic be held accountable for the tragedy. Lawyers argue that improved safety protocols and transparency are essential to prevent similar disasters in the future.
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“It was a terrible tragedy that could have been avoided. Camp Mystic must be held accountable for their failure to take care of Lulu and her friends,” said Randy R. Howry, lawyer for the Peck family.
What Do You Think?
The Camp Mystic tragedy has sparked important discussions on summer camp safety, disaster preparedness, and corporate responsibility. What are your thoughts on how camps should handle natural disasters to protect children? Share your opinions in the comments below!
