Just After Midnight on Burnet Road: A Quiet Neighborhood Shattered by Tragedy
It was 1:15 a.m. near the intersection of Burnet Road and Koenig Lane, in the Crestview neighborhood, when most Austin residents were deep in sleep. But seven months ago, just after midnight in Kerr County, families were waking to the nightmare unfolding at Camp Mystic along the Guadalupe River. The floodwaters surged suddenly, rising more than 30 feet, swallowing cabins and lives in an event that has left the city grappling with grief—and now legal battles.
What Really Happened at Camp Mystic
Camp Mystic, located near Hunt, Texas, on the banks of the Guadalupe River, was home to 27 campers and counselors on July 4, 2025. Among them was 8-year-old Cile Steward from Austin, who was attending the camp as part of a multi-generational family tradition. In the early hours of that morning, flash flooding swept through the camp, killing all 27 individuals present.
Despite multiple warnings issued by the National Weather Service and the Texas Department of Emergency Management, including a Flash Flood Warning at 1:14 a.m. declaring “LIFE THREATENING CONDITIONS EXIST. MOVE IMMEDIATELY TO HIGHER GROUND,” the camp’s leadership—owned and operated by the Eastland family—failed to evacuate the campers. The lawsuit filed Wednesday in Travis County by Cile’s family alleges that the Eastlands ignored these warnings, prioritized property over lives, and lacked any formal evacuation plan.
Camp Mystic’s owner, Dick Eastland, who also served on the Upper Guadalupe River Authority Board, received the warnings but did not alert the campers. Instead, campers were told to “stay put,” even as floodwaters rose rapidly. At 3 a.m., with evacuation routes still open, only then did Eastland order a partial evacuation—but without training or a plan, the effort was chaotic and deadly.
Cile Steward’s family, through their attorneys, state bluntly: “She did not die because there was nowhere to go. She died because she was told not to go.” Her body remains missing as recovery efforts continue.
Why This Matters to Austin Residents
This tragedy is not just a distant event in Kerr County. It is a stark warning for every Austin household near flood-prone areas, along creeks, rivers, and low-lying neighborhoods such as Onion Creek, Dove Springs, and parts of East Austin along Lady Bird Lake. Flooding can happen fast, and local leaders’ failure to prepare or act can cost lives.
Beyond the human toll, failures like those at Camp Mystic impact public safety systems, emergency response readiness, and insurance rates across the region. If private properties and camps do not take flood warnings seriously or prepare evacuation plans, the burden falls on local emergency services and taxpayers. Roads like Burnet Road and Koenig Lane, which many Austinites use daily, can become impassable during floods, disrupting commutes and emergency routes.
Ignoring flood warnings or assuming “it won’t happen here” can lead to devastating consequences: loss of life, destruction of homes, and financial ruin. The Camp Mystic lawsuit highlights how critical timely decisions and clear evacuation plans are—failures that could easily affect families in Austin neighborhoods near the Colorado River and other waterways.
If You Face a Flood or Emergency: What to Do Now
- Step 1: Stay informed. Sign up for Travis County emergency alerts and monitor National Weather Service warnings closely, especially during heavy rain seasons.
- Step 2: Identify safe evacuation routes from your home. Know at least two ways out of your neighborhood in case roads flood.
- Step 3: Prepare an emergency kit with essentials: water, food, medications, flashlights, and important documents.
- Step 4: If a flash flood warning is issued, do not wait. Move immediately to higher ground or designated shelters.
- Step 5: Do not attempt to cross flooded roads or bridges. Even a few inches of moving water can sweep vehicles away.
- Step 6: Have a family communication plan. Ensure everyone knows where to meet and how to contact each other.
- Step 7: After the flood, avoid returning until authorities confirm it is safe. Floodwaters can carry hazards, including electrical risks and contaminated water.
When Professional Help Becomes Necessary
If your household is affected by flooding or if you live near flood-prone areas such as Onion Creek or along the Colorado River, professional assistance is not optional—it is essential.
- Legal Help: If you suffer damages or injuries due to negligence—whether by property owners, camps, or local authorities—you need to contact an experienced Austin-based attorney immediately. Lawsuits like the Steward family’s show how crucial legal action is to hold parties accountable and recover damages.
- Contractors and Repair Services: Flood damage requires licensed contractors who understand local building codes and flood mitigation. Attempting repairs without professional assessment can worsen structural damage or violate regulations.
- Planners and Emergency Consultants: If you own property in flood zones or manage facilities where people gather, you must consult with certified emergency planners to develop evacuation and hazard mitigation plans. The Camp Mystic case underscores the deadly consequences of lacking these plans.
Local Context: What Austin Residents Need to Know
Though Camp Mystic is nearly 90 miles from Austin, the Guadalupe River and its tributaries are part of the larger watershed that impacts our region. Flood risks are real here too. Streets like Burnet Road and Koenig Lane in Crestview, and neighborhoods such as Hyde Park and East Riverside, are vulnerable during heavy rains.
Many Austinites pass through these areas daily—whether commuting to work near the University of Texas or heading to local landmarks like the Texas State Capitol. Understanding flood risks and emergency response failures elsewhere should push residents and local officials to demand better preparedness and accountability at home.
Where This Is Happening in Austin
The tragedy at Camp Mystic near Hunt, Texas, is a grim reminder for neighborhoods in Austin such as Crestview, East Riverside, and Hyde Park. These areas are near Burnet Road, Koenig Lane, and Riverside Drive—streets that see heavy traffic and are close to waterways prone to flash flooding.
Local landmarks like the Texas State Capitol and institutions such as the Travis County Emergency Management office are central to Austin’s flood response planning. Residents commuting through these corridors need to recognize the dangers fast-moving water poses and the importance of clear evacuation orders and infrastructure.
Flood warnings and emergency alerts issued by the National Weather Service and Travis County Emergency Management are critical tools for survival. But as the Camp Mystic lawsuit reveals, without prompt, decisive action from responsible parties, warnings alone are not enough.
