AUSTIN, Texas — A security guard who worked at Camp Mystic during last year’s devastating flood testified Wednesday that issuing an early evacuation directive could have prevented the tragic loss of life.
Glenn Juenke, who assisted in relocating several girls to a two-story structure before becoming stranded in a cabin, also rescued a group of campers by directing them to flee to elevated terrain as floodwaters surged.
His testimony concluded a three-day court proceeding in a legal dispute between camp management seeking to reopen the all-girls Christian facility this summer and families of victims who perished in the July 4th flooding that devastated the Guadalupe River area during early morning hours.
Juenke, testifying on behalf of the camp operators, stated that his choice to direct campers to climb a hillside on foot as waters rose was his own initiative, not instructions from camp leadership or officials.
He could not remember camp management ever conducting emergency evacuation training for campers, counselors and staff members.
The facility’s reopening plans have infuriated families of the deceased girls, and the camp’s operating license remains under examination by state health officials. Last month, a judge mandated the camp preserve damaged sections as evidence for ongoing litigation. That decision is being challenged.
The proceedings have revealed the most comprehensive account from camp officials about the flood events, including opportunities missed to prepare for the weather emergency and delayed evacuation choices.
Recounting the powerful storm that struck the facility, Juenke described initially joining camp directors Dick and Edward Eastland in transporting some girls from their sleeping quarters. However, Juenke later left his vehicle when rising water made driving impossible.
Walking on foot, Juenke commanded a group of young campers to seek higher elevation. He returned to another cabin where he soon found himself trapped in waist-high water. Storage containers were thrown about by the current before being swept away.
Juenke instructed the girls in the cabin to climb onto air mattresses, where they remained floating for multiple hours.
“It was a long night. We were getting bitten by fire ants. There were spiders … The girls did everything I told them to do,” Juenke stated. No girls in that particular cabin lost their lives.
Juenke said they emerged at daybreak. He then reconnected with Catie Eastland, a camp director, near the two-story recreation facility where approximately one hundred girls had survived the flooding.
“I said y’all could have had a million different evacuation plans, nothing would have worked,” Juenke testified.
Attorneys representing the families have focused on the absence of a comprehensive evacuation strategy and the failure to issue cabin evacuation orders. A brief emergency notice displayed in cabins, which had received state approval just two days prior, instructed campers to remain in their quarters until staff provided further direction.
The disaster claimed 25 campers and two teenage counselors. Camp co-owner Dick Eastland also perished.
“You can blame it on Mother Nature or God Almighty, but if anyone had used the speakers or walkie talkie and told them to leave before 3 (am), they would’ve survived,” said Brad Beckworth, representing the family of Cile Steward, 8, the only camper whose remains have not been found.
Juenke stood by his actions and those of staff members that evening.
“We did everything we could do in the time that we had,” Juenke said.
