Camp Mystic’s Disaster Preparedness in Question Despite State Approval Days Before Deadly Flood

The tragic flooding at Camp Mystic, which resulted in the deaths of more than two dozen campers and counselors—mostly children—shines a harsh light on state regulatory failures. Shockingly, just two days prior to this disaster, Texas Department of State Health Services inspectors signed off on Camp Mystic’s disaster plan, raising serious doubts about the thoroughness and sincerity of their review. Records released reveal that while the camp technically met state requirements for emergency procedures—including evacuation instructions and staff duties—the details of these plans remain undisclosed. The state does not even require submission of these plans for official filing, leaving critical...