Particle.news
Download on the App Store
42 ARTICLES
·
49m ago

Families Sue Camp Mystic, Alleging Gross Negligence in Deadly July 4 Flood

The filings accuse the camp of gross negligence over ignored warnings, failed evacuations, unsafe cabin placement.

A search and rescue volunteer holds a T-shirt with the words "Camp Mystic" on it in Comfort, Texas, following the catastrophic flooding. Photo: Danielle Villasana for The Washington Post via Getty Images
A view of Camp Mystic, the site of where at least 20 girls went missing after flash flooding in Hunt, Texas, on July 5, 2025. Rescuers were on Saturday searching for more than 20 girls missing from a riverside summer camp in the US state of Texas, after torrential rains caused devastating flooding that killed at least 27 people -- with more rain on the way. "So far, we've evacuated over 850 uninjured people, eight injured people and have recovered 27 deceased fatalities at this time. Of these 27, 18 are adults, nine are children," said Kerr Country Sheriff Larry Leitha on July 5. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP) (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
FILE - An officer prays with a family as they pick up items at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)
Image

Overview

  • Multiple families filed wrongful-death lawsuits in Travis County seeking more than $1 million each and jury trials over the flood that killed 25 campers and two counselors.
  • The complaints claim Camp Mystic housed children in flood-prone cabins, failed to adopt or follow required evacuation plans, and directed staff to secure equipment as waters rose.
  • Plaintiffs allege girls in the Bubble Inn and Twins cabins were told to remain in place while others were moved to higher ground roughly 300 feet away.
  • Defendants include Camp Mystic entities and members of the Eastland family, including the estate of co-owner Richard “Dick” Eastland, who died during the disaster.
  • Camp representatives dispute the accusations, calling the flood unprecedented with inadequate warning systems, noting 166 girls were evacuated and that only uphill areas are slated to reopen next summer.