AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The leader of a Texas summer camp where flooding claimed the lives of 27 campers and staff members in 2025 testified Monday that he failed to receive advance weather alerts from federal and state agencies issued before the deadly storm struck, and no staff discussions occurred regarding the approaching threat.
Edward Eastland, who runs Camp Mystic, gave his testimony during court proceedings focused on maintaining damaged portions of the facility as evidence for multiple lawsuits brought by families affected by the July 4th tragedy along the Guadalupe River.
Last month, a judge mandated the camp preserve these areas, prompting an appeal from camp management. Monday’s court session continued testimony regarding the facility’s operations before and during the fatal flooding.
The current proceedings, potentially offering the most comprehensive public statements from leadership of the all-girls Christian facility, occur as operators seek state approval to reopen Camp Mystic this summer on grounds unaffected by flooding.
Edward Eastland spent several hours on the witness stand Monday before a courtroom filled with relatives of the deceased girls.
Eastland explained that he and fellow staff members had registered for emergency notifications on their mobile devices and utilized various weather applications. However, he stated he never saw flood watch announcements posted by the National Weather Service and Texas Department of Emergency Management on July 2nd and 3rd on social media platforms.
Eastland noted he wasn’t connected to those agencies through social media and believed the local “CodeRED” mobile alert system and staff weather applications “was enough.”
A July 3rd National Weather Service bulletin requested area media outlets inform the public that intense local rainfall might trigger flash flooding in rivers, creeks, streams and low-elevation areas – all characteristics present at Camp Mystic’s location.
Eastland explained that his father, camp co-owner Richard Eastland, usually handled weather monitoring duties. Edward Eastland stated he didn’t think camp personnel conducted any meetings regarding the alerts and warnings that day.
The storms struck during the night, taking the lives of 25 campers, two teenage staff members and Richard Eastland.
“We did not expect what was going to happen,” Edward Eastland said.
“You were warned,” said Brad Beckworth, an attorney representing families who have sued Camp Mystic.
Eastland faced questioning about the minimal information available to campers and cabin supervisors since mobile phones weren’t permitted in sleeping quarters, and only select staff possessed walkie-talkies for communication.
The courtroom listened to a portion of a “Taps” recording broadcast through speakers when campers retired at 10 p.m. on July 3rd. Those same speakers weren’t utilized to announce weather warnings, Eastland confirmed.
Eastland said he retired around 11 p.m. His father contacted him via walkie-talkie near 2 a.m. to report heavy rainfall and the necessity to relocate canoes and water gear from the riverbank.
Eastland testified he never received a National Weather Service flash flood alert at 1:14 a.m. and slept through a CodeRED text message at the same time targeting his specific location. The notification warned of flooding that could persist for several hours.
Family attorneys questioned Eastland about a written account from a counselor who awakened during the storm and reported seeing girls fleeing to safety.
“The water was rising faster than anything I have ever witnessed,” the counselor wrote.
Overall, the catastrophic flooding resulted in at least 136 deaths across several miles of the river, prompting questions about how the situation became so deadly.
Relatives of multiple deceased girls have filed lawsuits against camp management, claiming officials didn’t implement proper safety measures to protect campers as dangerous floodwaters advanced.
The camp’s reopening plans have angered victim families and Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who believes the license should be rejected while state legislators and agencies conduct investigations. Camp leadership reports nearly 900 campers have registered to return.
Texas health officials announced last week they’re examining hundreds of complaints submitted against camp ownership. The Texas Rangers are also assisting with investigations into neglect allegations, according to the Texas Department of Safety, though the extent of the elite investigation unit’s involvement remains unclear.
