Texas Summer Camp Under Fire for Failing to Report Flood Deaths to State Agency
In a poignant scene, community members gathered for a candlelight vigil in Kerrville, Texas, to honor the lives lost in the devastating flash floods of July 11, 2025, which claimed over 120 lives. This somber event underscores the ongoing grief and legal battles stemming from the tragedy, particularly at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp where 27 girls and counselors perished.
Camp Official Admits Neglecting Mandatory Death Reporting
Mary Liz Eastland, the medical officer for Camp Mystic and a member of the family that owns and operates the camp, testified this week that she has still not officially reported the deaths to the Texas health agency. This admission came during a hearing tied to a lawsuit brought by the family of eight-year-old camper Cecilia "Cile" Steward, whose body remains missing. The family is seeking to temporarily close off the camp's flooded areas to preserve evidence as their lawsuit proceeds.
Under Texas administrative code, camps are required to report deaths to state health regulators within 24 hours. However, Eastland stated in court, "I did not think of this requirement in the moments happening after the flood," adding that she had not done so before the camp filed its application to reopen in March. When asked if she should report the deaths now, with the camp's license pending, she replied, "I guess so."
Emotional Testimony Reveals Chaos and Lack of Preparedness
Eastland described the chaotic night of July 4, 2025, when floodwaters poured into her home, forcing her to break a window to escape with her children to higher ground. She testified that she could not recall exactly when she learned of the camper deaths, estimating it might have been a day or several days after the flooding. At sunrise, she and other staff gathered survivors for a head count, checking names against cabin rosters, as she had to figure out who was missing.
She acknowledged that she did not attempt to evacuate campers from low-lying areas early in the flooding because rapidly rising waters made access impossible. In a tense exchange, an attorney for the Steward family questioned her actions, pointing out her decades of experience compared to the first-year campers. Eastland responded, "Yes," when asked if she had abandoned Cile Steward.
Camp Director's Testimony Highlights Systemic Failures
Edward Eastland, a camp director and Mary Liz's husband, also testified, revealing further lapses in preparedness. He admitted that he had not seen official weather warnings before the storm, did not convene a staff meeting about potential flooding, and acknowledged that the camp lacked a detailed, written flood evacuation plan. While he maintained that they could not have anticipated the storm's scale, he conceded that earlier action might have saved lives.
Emotionally recounting his efforts to save campers, Edward Eastland described grabbing two girls as others were swept away. "The water came up over my head very quickly," he said, "The water was churning." When asked about Cile Steward's fate, he replied, "I don't know."
Implications for Camp's Reopening and Regulatory Oversight
This hearing occurs as Camp Mystic plans to reopen this summer, raising serious questions about compliance with state health regulations and safety protocols. The testimony highlights potential systemic failures in emergency response and reporting, which could impact the camp's licensing and public trust. The case continues to unfold, with families seeking justice and accountability for the tragic losses.
