AUSTIN, Texas – A new legal action has emerged concerning the tragic flooding incident at Camp Mystic that resulted in the loss of lives last July. Filed in federal court on Monday, this lawsuit represents the families of nine of the 27 campers and counselors who perished during the disaster.
The lawsuit targets six officials from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), including Commissioner Jennifer Shuford, along with five others responsible for overseeing camp licensing and inspections. The parents allege that DSHS granted a license to the nearly century-old camp despite its failure to have a legally mandated written evacuation plan for each building, a requirement set forth by state law.
The complaint indicates that DSHS conducted annual inspections of Camp Mystic, with the last evaluation occurring just two days prior to the flood. It asserts that the officials knowingly licensed the camp without the necessary evacuation plan in place, contrary to Texas law, which stipulates that youth camps must have a comprehensive disaster plan, including evacuation procedures, before receiving a license.
The law firm representing the families noted that Camp Mystic’s license remains valid until March 6, and the camp intends to reopen this summer, even with one camper still unaccounted for.
Attorney Paul Yetter of YetterColeman LLP, representing the families, stated, “The DSHS officials responsible for licensing youth camps deliberately looked the other way. While Camp Mystic bears responsibility and is also being sued, state officials knew the camp’s emergency plan lacked a required evacuation component and still licensed it as safe.”
This lawsuit follows closely on the heels of another filed in Travis County by the parents of Cecilia “Cile” Steward, who is still missing after the flood. Their suit seeks to prevent Camp Mystic from reopening and details the events leading to their daughter’s tragic disappearance, asserting that the camp’s owners failed to take necessary precautions against flooding.
Numerous lawsuits have been initiated against Camp Mystic, alleging gross negligence and a reckless disregard for safety. Families contend that the camp and its management ignored weather alerts, instructing campers to remain indoors as the floodwaters escalated.
The information in this report is derived from a 33-page federal lawsuit, contributions from YetterColeman LLP, Mithoff Law, and previous local coverage.
