Texas Camp Flood Leads to Records Lost and Probe Started

Post by : Monika

Photo : AP

In late June, heavy rain caused flash floods across Texas. One of the places badly hit was Camp Mystic, a private girls’ summer camp located along the South Fork of the Guadalupe River near Hunt, Texas.

When the river rose suddenly, it flooded the camp’s area, and the water washed away several camp records and key safety documents. Now, the flood and what happened before it are being looked at more closely by local and state officials.

What Happened at Camp Mystic?
On June 20, strong rainstorms hit parts of Texas. Camp Mystic was full of girls and staff members enjoying summer activities. But by early morning, the river next to the camp had started to rise quickly due to flash floods.

The water overflowed and entered the camp. Emergency workers were called, and more than 70 people had to be rescued using boats. Luckily, no one was seriously hurt or killed.

But many are now asking: Were there enough safety steps taken before the flood happened? And were any warnings missed?

Important Camp Records Lost in the Flood
After the flood, camp leaders told the state’s Department of Health and Human Services that many of their important records were gone. These included:

• Medical records of campers
• Emergency plans
• Maps of the campgrounds
• Safety checklists

The camp’s director explained that the water came so fast, it destroyed their storage area where these documents were kept. Now, officials say this missing information may make it harder to understand if the camp followed all the safety rules.

What Do We Know About the Camp’s Safety Plan?
Camp Mystic has been running for nearly 100 years, and is a popular private camp for girls. Before a camp season starts, the state asks for certain safety documents to be filled out. These include maps, emergency plans, and contact information for camp doctors and nurses.

Officials now want to know if Camp Mystic had sent in all of those records before the flood hit. Right now, they say they don’t have copies of the required maps or any documents that show the camp told families how they would respond to flooding.

Camp Owners Say the Flood Was Unexpected
The owners of Camp Mystic said the flooding was a rare and sudden event. They also said that their staff did their best to move campers to higher ground and keep everyone safe.

Some parents, however, are now worried. They said they were not told clearly about the danger when the rain began. Others said they didn’t know how close the river was to their children’s cabins.

One parent said, “We trust these camps with our kids. We expect them to be ready for anything, especially something like a flood.”

Experts Warned About the Risk
Experts say that this part of Texas is known for flash flooding. The Texas Hill Country, where the camp is located, has had several deadly floods in the past.

Maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) show that parts of Camp Mystic are in areas that are likely to flood during heavy rain.

A recent map showed that many of the cabins and buildings at the camp were built in places that could flood if the river rose quickly—which it did.

The Camp Is Under Review
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services, which checks on youth camps, is now looking into what happened at Camp Mystic. They are asking:

• Were all safety steps followed?
• Did the camp submit the needed plans on time?
• Did the staff act quickly and correctly once the flood began?
• They have not said whether Camp Mystic will face any punishment, but the investigation is still going on.

What Do Local Leaders Say?

Local officials from Kerr County, where the camp is located, say they are helping with the investigation. The sheriff’s office helped rescue campers during the flood and said the event showed how fast nature can change.

One county leader said, “We are thankful no lives were lost, but we need to learn from this. Camps in this area must always be ready for flooding.”

What Happens Next?
Camp Mystic has since reopened after cleaning up flood damage. Some campers returned to finish the session, but others were picked up by parents who were concerned about safety.

The camp says it will rebuild and add new safety steps. It has promised to improve its warning system and to keep extra copies of important records in safer places in the future.

Meanwhile, state health officials are reviewing the laws and rules about youth camps. They may suggest new changes to make sure all camps are better prepared for sudden floods or weather disasters.

Why This Story Matters
This story is important because it’s not just about one camp—it’s about the safety of all children at summer camps across the country.

Texas has many summer camps, and many of them are located near rivers, lakes, and in areas that can flood. This event is a reminder to everyone—camp owners, parents, and the state—that plans must be ready and followed to keep kids safe.

Lessons From the Flood

• Be Ready: Camps near water must have strong emergency plans and test them often.
• Watch the Weather: When big storms are expected, camps should stay alert and inform parents early.
• Keep Records Safe: Emergency plans and medical files must be stored in safe places and backed up.

Follow the Rules: Camps must send all safety documents to the state and be open about their risks.
The flood at Camp Mystic was sudden and scary, but thankfully, all campers and staff were rescued without harm. Still, the loss of records and the questions about safety show that more must be done to prepare for natural disasters.

Parents trust camps to protect their children, and camps must make that trust their top priority. The lessons from this event will likely shape how Texas—and maybe other states—look at camp safety from now on.