Families Sue Camp Mystic for Gross Negligence in Deadly Flooding

Families of the victims who perished in the tragic flooding at Camp Mystic during the summer are taking legal action against the camp and its owners. Three lawsuits, filed on Monday, target the camp for gross negligence in connection with the deadly July 4 incident. This flooding claimed the lives of seven campers and two counselors.

Details of the Lawsuits

• The first lawsuit was initiated by families of five campers and two counselors who died in the flooding: Anna Margaret Bellows, Lila Bonner, Chloe Childress, Molly DeWitt, Katherine Ferruzzo, Lainey Landry, and Blakely McCrory.
• The second lawsuit is filed by the family of Eloise “Lulu” Peck, an eight-year-old victim.
• The third lawsuit comes from the family of nine-year-old Ellen Getten.
• Each complaint seeks damages exceeding $1 million.

Background of the Tragedy

This unfortunate event occurred after torrential rainfall led to flash flooding at the century-old summer camp in Kerr County, Texas. Over 30 campers and staff members lost their lives during the incident, horrifyingly referred to as the “Heaven’s 27.” Many victims were in cabins situated dangerously close to the rising waters of the Guadalupe River. Reports indicate that the river rose dramatically, from about three feet to nearly 30 feet within just 45 minutes.

Allegations of Gross Negligence

The lawsuits allege that Camp Mystic neglected to implement adequate safety measures, prioritizing financial considerations over the safety of the campers. The filings claim that the camp failed to evacuate its cabins in time, despite warnings of impending flash floods.

Specific Accusations

• The first lawsuit states that the camp should have had a robust evacuation plan in place, especially given its location in a flood-prone area.
• Families allege the camp failed to act, even when it was clear that a storm was approaching.
• The second lawsuit highlights the camp’s negligence in updating its flood protocols, despite the history of flooding in the region.
• The third lawsuit points to a lack of emergency response measures and training for counselors and campers.

Implications and Responses

These legal actions are the first taken by the families of victims against Camp Mystic since the flooding incident. With a significant number of casualties, there has been mounting pressure on camp management and local authorities to re-evaluate safety protocols. Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently signed new laws aimed at enhancing camp safety in flood-prone areas.

The attorney for Camp Mystic, Mikal Watts, acknowledged the tragedy but emphasized that the camp’s response included evacuating a significant number of campers before casualties occurred. He described the floods as an unprecedented occurrence, suggesting that sheltering in place was the preferred safety protocol given the circumstances.

Future of Camp Mystic

In light of the tragedy, Camp Mystic has announced plans to partially reopen next summer for its 100th anniversary. However, the areas most affected by flooding will remain closed. Financial and emotional repercussions of the disaster are still widely felt among the community.