With two victims still missing, anger continues to grow across Texas over what many see as a failed flood response and the controversial plans to reopen camps where dozens died.
A new joint Texas legislative committee has been formed to investigate the state’s handling of the historic July 4 floods, which killed at least 137 people in Central Texas — the deadliest U.S. flood in nearly 50 years.
“The tragedy at Camp Mystic and the flooding disasters this summer have left a devastating impact on Texas families and communities,” said House Speaker Dustin Burrows. “It’s our responsibility to find out what went wrong and make sure Texas is better prepared for the next emergency.”
Lawmakers previously responded by holding hearings, passing several bills — including the Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act, named after the 27 girls who died at Camp Mystic — and promising tighter safety standards. Still, frustration remains high, particularly as 8-year-old camper Cile Steward and another flood victim remain missing.
Questions of Accountability
It’s unclear whether the new committee will identify those responsible for the failures. Reports show that Camp Mystic’s director, Richard “Dick” Eastland, who also died in the flood, waited over an hour to begin evacuations after receiving a flood warning from the National Weather Service.
Families have since condemned plans to reopen the camp, calling them “unthinkable.” In a letter, the Steward family urged camp officials to halt all reopening efforts until Cile’s body is recovered and the camp takes full accountability for its failures.
“You must fully confront and account for your role in the events and failures that caused the deaths of our daughters,” the letter stated.
Political and Legal Fallout
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said he was “shocked” that Camp Mystic was already signing up new campers, announcing that the new committee would “get to the bottom of exactly what occurred.”
The committee will examine the facts and circumstances of the July flooding, including camp operations, and will invite Camp Mystic officials to testify.
Matthew Childress, whose 18-year-old daughter Chloe died at Camp Mystic, welcomed the investigation.
“The truth about what happened on July 4th must come fully to light,” he said. “The eyes of Texas are on this process.”
Meanwhile, Jeff Ramsey’s family — another victim still missing — filed a wrongful death lawsuit against an RV park, alleging negligence.
At a recent state hearing, parents of victims criticized camp operators for fighting new safety laws.
“These laws are written in the blood of 27 children,” said Michael McCown, who lost his 8-year-old daughter, Linnie. “The camp industry has lost the privilege to police itself.”
The Road Ahead
The joint investigative committee — a rare bipartisan effort — includes five members from each chamber, with one Democrat per group. The Senate side will be led by Sen. Pete Flores of Pleasanton, while the House panel will be chaired by Rep. Morgan Meyer of Dallas, home to many victims’ families.
“The magnitude of this tragedy demands a comprehensive and thorough review,” Burrows said. “Our goal is to understand what caused the devastation and strengthen Texas’s response to future disasters.”
Still, Houston families — where many victims and survivors are from — voiced concern that no committee members represent their city.
Keli Rabon, whose sons survived the flood at Camp La Junta, said she plans to push lawmakers to act.
“Without understanding what truly happened, we can’t make things right moving forward,” she said. “You can’t fix mistakes if you don’t know what they were.”