Decision to Keep Camp Mystic Closed After Deadly Floods

After severe flooding in Texas last July killed 28 campers and staff, Camp Mystic has decided against reopening this summer. The camp previously sought permission from regulators but now says the grief of families and ongoing investigations make a reopening impossible. They will also drop plans to apply for a license in 2026. The disaster began when heavy rains turned the Guadalupe River into a violent current, trapping people near the campground. Investigators later found 24 serious flaws in the camp’s safety plans, including missing evacuation routes. Lawmakers heard emotional testimonies from families, including CiCi Steward, whose 8-year-old daughter remains missing after the flood.

Flooding that month killed nearly 140 people across Texas, making it one of the deadliest freshwater disasters in U. S. history. The tragedy exposed how weak emergency protocols can lead to preventable deaths. Even though the camp blames the extreme weather, critics argue proper warnings and escape routes could have saved lives.

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