AUSTIN, Texas — A medical officer at a Texas summer camp where 27 people died in flooding last year admitted in court Tuesday that she has never officially notified state health regulators about the deaths, despite the camp’s recent application to resume operations this summer.
Mary Liz Eastland, who belongs to the family that owns Camp Mystic, faced questioning during ongoing legal proceedings between camp management and families of flood victims who have filed lawsuits. The families want the camp to maintain damaged areas as evidence. The two-day hearing has revealed the most comprehensive account yet from camp leadership about the July 4 early morning flood along the Guadalupe River and the fatal delays in evacuation efforts.
Though the deaths of 25 campers and two teenage counselors at the Christian girls’ camp have been extensively covered in media reports, Texas regulations mandate that camps notify state health officials about fatalities within 24 hours.
“I did not think of this requirement in the moments happening after the flood,” Eastland testified, noting she had also failed to do so before submitting the camp’s March 31 reopening application.
Eastland was unable to pinpoint when she first learned about camper deaths, stating it might have been one day or several days following the flood. Her father-in-law, Richard Eastland, also perished in the disaster.
When questioned whether she should now formally notify authorities with the camp license under review, Mary Liz Eastland responded, “I guess so.”
Whether this reporting failure will impact the camp’s licensing application remains unknown. The camp’s submitted application contains lists of staff members and flood zone maps. Management must also provide a comprehensive safety plan, though this document is not available for public review.
State officials plan to inspect the camp during the licensing process. The regulatory agency is also examining hundreds of complaints lodged against the facility and has requested assistance from the Texas Rangers investigative division. State legislators are conducting their own separate inquiry into the flooding incident.
“DSHS will consider any findings from the inspection and investigation when making the determination on the renewal application,” the agency stated Tuesday.
The camp’s intention to reopen portions of its facilities this summer for nearly 900 girls has angered families of those who died. The family of 8-year-old Cile Steward, the sole camper whose body remains missing, initiated the lawsuit that led to this week’s court proceedings.
The Steward family argues the camp should not resume operations while the Eastland family continues in leadership roles. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has separately stated that no license should be granted until all investigations conclude.
Mary Liz Eastland’s testimony followed extensive questioning of her husband Edward Eastland on Monday and Tuesday regarding overlooked weather alerts, postponed evacuation choices, and frantic efforts to rescue children as floodwaters tore through the facility with sufficient power to generate rapids around the cabins.
He emotionally recounted seizing two girls while another climbed onto his back before the current swept them all away.
“A genuine hero testified today,” said Mikal Watts, representing the Eastlands. “He told a gripping story of saving lives in an unprecedented tsunami. I am proud to represent Edward Eastland and his family.”
Mary Liz Eastland detailed her actions that evening when she and her children departed their residence to join her mother-in-law. She described water flooding the house and breaking a window to escape. The family managed to reach higher elevation.
She also recounted what she witnessed at dawn when she approached the riverbank, “seeing girls in trees.” She and other staff collected survivors for attendance, comparing names to cabin lists.
“I had to figure out who we had and didn’t have at that point,” she testified.
However, she admitted never attempting to reach low-lying areas to evacuate campers during the storm’s initial stages, explaining she could not navigate the rising floodwaters. She was also questioned about why, as the camp’s head medical officer, she did not attempt to contact or alert other medical personnel to reach the campers before catastrophe struck.
Steward family lawyer Christina Yarnell pointed out that Eastland had been associated with Camp Mystic as a camper, counselor, or staff member since 2002.
“You knew the property. You knew the flood lines. You knew access points,” Yarnell stated. “Your children knew them. These were first-year campers … Cile needed your help and you abandoned her, didn’t you?”
“Yes,” Eastland replied.
