Camp Director Denies Seeing Flood Warnings

Camp Mystic director Edward Eastland testified in a court hearing on April 14, 2026, regarding the July 4, 2025, flood that claimed 27 lives. Eastland stated he did not see federal and state flood warnings issued the day before the storm, nor were there staff meetings about the pending danger. He claimed ignorance of National Weather Service and Texas Department of Emergency Management social media posts, relying instead on mobile alerts and weather apps he deemed sufficient.

The hearing, focused on preserving evidence for lawsuits filed by victims' families, comes as Camp Mystic operators seek a state license to reopen this summer. Eastland testified that he slept through a CodeRED alert and a National Weather Service flash flood warning issued early on July 4, 2025. Evacuation of cabins did not begin until around 3 a.m., after the water had already begun to rise rapidly.

Families of the victims have filed lawsuits, alleging the camp failed to take necessary precautions. These efforts to reopen have sparked outrage, with state officials investigating hundreds of complaints against the camp owners. The Texas Rangers are also involved in looking into allegations of neglect following the devastating event.