The head of the Texas summer camp where a tragic flood claimed the lives of 27 campers and staff members last year testified on Monday that he was unaware of official warnings issued the day before the devastating storm struck. Edward Eastland provided a detailed account of the camp’s response as floodwaters surged along the Guadalupe River, resulting in a historic flood on July 4, 2025. Eastland, emotionally recounting the events, expressed regret over the loss of lives and admitted that earlier action by the camp staff could have potentially saved lives.
During the testimony, Eastland revealed that the Christian girls camp lacked a detailed written flood evacuation plan and conceded that quicker decisions to evacuate could have increased the chances of survival for more campers. The overnight storms claimed the lives of 25 young girls aged between eight and 10, two teenage female counselors, and Richard Eastland, the camp co-owner.
Cici Steward, whose eight-year-old daughter remains missing from the camp tragedy, called for the camp’s license to be revoked, emphasizing that the camp had shown an inability to ensure the safety of children. The flash flooding that struck the region led to the loss of at least 136 lives along a several-kilometer stretch of the Guadalupe River.
During a civil lawsuit hearing against Camp Mystic, Eastland mentioned that although the staff was enrolled in an emergency warning system and used weather apps, they did not see the flood watch alerts by the National Weather Service and the Texas Department of Emergency Management on July 2 and 3. Eastland defended the camp’s reliance on the local “CodeRED” mobile alert system and phone weather apps, believing them to be sufficient.
Despite a National Weather Service alert warning of potential flash flooding in the area, Eastland stated that they did not anticipate the severity of the impending disaster. He recounted the events leading up to the flood, including his father’s decision to evacuate cabins around 3 a.m. after heavy rainfall intensified.
Witnesses described the harrowing scenes during the flood, with one counselor detailing the rising water levels and the desperate attempts to protect the children. Eastland himself recounted his efforts to save campers before being swept away by the raging floodwaters.
As legal proceedings continue, families of the victims are seeking justice and accountability from Camp Mystic owners. The camp, aiming to open in a flood-safe area in two months, has applied for license renewal amidst ongoing investigations and legal battles.