Camp Mystic Flood: Pre-Disaster Inspection Records Fuel Questions Amid Ongoing Search for Missing

State records released this week reveal Camp Mystic, the all-girls Christian summer camp devastated by a catastrophic flood on July 4, was deemed compliant with emergency planning just two days before the deadly event. The revelation has ignited urgent questions about the camp’s preparedness as authorities continue to search for missing individuals.

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) released documents Tuesday confirming the camp met state regulations regarding disaster procedures during an inspection on July 2. However, these five years of inspection reports do not detail the specific content of Camp Mystic’s emergency plans, only indicating that procedures for evacuation were posted and staff trained. This critical gap in oversight is now a focal point of the ongoing inquiry.

The tragedy unfolded in the early morning hours of July 4 when the Guadalupe River, in the flood-prone Texas Hill Country, surged from 14 feet to 29.5 feet within 60 minutes. Despite a flood watch issued by the National Weather Service on July 3, Camp Mystic did not evacuate. The sudden wall of water overwhelmed cabins, tents, and trailers, leading to a horrific loss of life.

At least 27 campers and counselors perished in the floods, including the camp’s director, Richard “Dick” Eastland. As of Tuesday, five campers and one counselor remain unaccounted for. Survivors have described a chaotic scene, emphasizing the extreme darkness and lack of communication, with campers having no access to phones in the remote location.

Local officials have faced scrutiny for their reluctance to address questions regarding weather monitoring and pre-flood measures taken. The incident underscores significant concerns about the adequacy of state oversight for summer camps and the transparency surrounding their emergency preparedness plans, as search efforts continue and calls for accountability intensify.

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