Two days before a devastating flash flood swept through Camp Mystic along the Guadalupe River, Texas state inspectors reviewed and approved the camp’s emergency preparedness plan. The flood, which struck suddenly and claimed multiple lives, has raised serious questions about how such a plan could have passed inspection without identifying major gaps in readiness.
The July 2 inspection found that Camp Mystic had all necessary safety procedures displayed, staff roles assigned, and basic emergency training completed. Inspectors confirmed that evacuation maps were posted, weather monitoring duties were assigned to camp personnel, and a chain of command existed for relaying instructions. Everything, on paper, seemed in place.
What Was Inspected:
- All required emergency procedures were posted in each building, as mandated by state regulations.
- Inspectors confirmed that staff and counselors had assigned roles, ensuring someone was responsible for monitoring weather alerts, leading evacuations, and coordinating communications.
- The camp had provided training to personnel, including practice for evacuation actions, muster points, and supervision of campers during emergencies.
Despite meeting every checklist item and showing no violations, the actual contents of Camp Mystic’s written plans were never reviewed. State officials noted they don’t collect or evaluate the specific evacuation scripts or decision thresholds—leaving oversight largely procedural.
The Breakdown Between Approval and Action
The disaster struck on July 4. Flash flood warnings had been issued hours earlier, and other nearby camps began moving children to higher ground. Camp Mystic did not. As the river surged from 14 to nearly 30 feet in less than an hour, several cabins and trailers located close to the riverbank were overtaken by water.
Survivors described moments of confusion and panic, made worse by a total lack of communication. Campers and staff had little to no access to phones, and the dark, stormy conditions limited visibility. Despite the presence of a designated weather monitor and communication protocol, no mass alert was delivered. No formal evacuation took place. Many were left to fend for themselves as the waters rose.
Adding to the crisis, several local river gauges failed during the peak of the flood, disrupting critical real-time information that emergency responders rely on. This loss of data slowed regional alerts and likely delayed decisions at various camps in the area.
What’s more, while Camp Mystic is licensed by the state and affiliated with some regional organizations, it is not accredited by the American Camp Association. That distinction matters—ACA-accredited camps must meet stricter guidelines, including more robust and tested emergency protocols.
Lawmakers and emergency response experts are now pushing for reform: detailed plan submission, content reviews, evacuation thresholds, verified drills, and flood alert systems. Though technically compliant, Camp Mystic’s plan proved tragically inadequate when real danger hit.