Austin Family Files Fifth Lawsuit Over Deadly Camp Mystic Flooding
It is just past 7 a.m. on a humid Thursday morning near the intersection of Riverside Drive and South Congress Avenue in South Austin. Commuters are already stuck in slow-moving traffic, their radios buzzing with local news. Among the headlines: another lawsuit filed against Camp Mystic, the summer camp near Kerrville where devastating floodwaters swept through on July 4, 2023. For many Austinites, this is more than a distant tragedy — it’s a stark reminder that disaster can strike close to home, and the aftermath still threatens families and communities months later.
What Happened
Will and Catherine Steward, parents from Austin, have filed a 100-page lawsuit against Camp Mystic, marking the fifth legal action since the flood disaster that killed 25 campers and two counselors. Their daughter, Cecilia “Cile” Steward, was attending Camp Mystic for her first overnight experience when the floodwaters rose nearly 40 feet in a matter of hours along the Guadalupe River near Kerrville.
The lawsuit alleges that despite multiple weather warnings, camp leadership failed to move younger campers, including Cecilia, to higher ground. Instead, counselors were instructed to have campers “stay put” in their cabins, some located dangerously close to the river. Cecilia was last seen on a floating mattress after escaping through a broken window, but she was swept away in the floodwaters and remains missing more than seven months later.
Camp Mystic, owned by Tweety Eastland and her late husband Dick Eastland, was one of the hardest-hit locations during the flood. The Eastlands have faced four previous lawsuits accusing them of negligence. Attorneys for the family have denied these claims, with Camp Mystic scheduled to reopen later this year.
Why This Matters Locally
Austin residents should consider the risks posed by rapidly changing weather and emergency preparedness failures that can hit close to home. Many families in neighborhoods like Travis Heights and Bouldin Creek live within easy reach of flood-prone areas along the Colorado River and its tributaries. If a disaster like this happens again, delayed warnings or inadequate evacuation plans could cost lives.
Beyond the human toll, failures in emergency response can lead to overwhelming costs for families and local governments. Property damage, lost wages, and the emotional burden of losing loved ones strain Austin’s social and economic fabric. Traffic on major corridors like South Congress and Riverside Drive can grind to a halt during emergencies, further complicating evacuation and rescue efforts.
Ignoring these risks puts your household in jeopardy — especially if you have children or elderly family members. The Stewards’ lawsuit underscores how quickly a family tradition turned into tragedy, and how critical it is to demand accountability and preparedness from local institutions responsible for safety.
If This Happens to You: What to Do Immediately
- 1. Stay alert to weather warnings from the National Weather Service and local authorities. Sign up for Austin’s emergency alerts.
- 2. Develop and review your family’s evacuation plan. Know multiple routes out of your neighborhood, including streets like Riverside Drive and Barton Springs Road.
- 3. If you live near flood zones or waterways like the Colorado or Guadalupe Rivers, do not wait to move to higher ground when warnings are issued.
- 4. Keep an emergency kit with essentials—water, food, medications, and important documents—ready to go at all times.
- 5. Follow instructions from local emergency services immediately. If told to evacuate, do not hesitate or delay.
- 6. After a flood, avoid returning home until officials declare it safe. Floodwaters can cause structural damage and hidden hazards.
- 7. Document any damage with photos and notes for insurance or legal purposes.
When Local Professional Help Becomes Necessary
Flooding and disasters like the Camp Mystic tragedy quickly exceed what most households can handle alone. You need to contact professionals in the following situations:
- Legal Help: If you or a loved one suffer injury, loss, or negligence related to local institutions, contact a qualified attorney immediately. Legal experts can guide you through claims and protect your rights.
- Contractors and Repair Services: After flooding, structural damage to homes in neighborhoods like Travis Heights or Zilker requires licensed contractors. Attempting DIY repairs can be dangerous and lead to costly mistakes.
- Floodplain Planners and Emergency Consultants: If you live in flood-prone areas, professional planners can assess your property and recommend mitigation steps to reduce future risk.
Delaying professional intervention can increase your financial burden and personal risk. Whether it’s securing your home or pursuing justice, do not wait until the situation worsens.
Local Context: What Austin Residents Should Know
Camp Mystic’s location near Kerrville is a reminder that Texas Hill Country’s natural beauty comes with serious flood risks. Many Austinites travel along Interstate 35 and Highway 71 toward these areas for weekend trips, unaware of how fast conditions can turn deadly. The Guadalupe River, which runs through Kerrville and feeds into the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority’s watershed, can rise suddenly, threatening camps, homes, and infrastructure.
Closer to home, neighborhoods like Travis Heights, Bouldin Creek, and Zilker face their own challenges with flash flooding and stormwater management. The city’s ongoing efforts to improve drainage and emergency response depend on residents recognizing the urgency of preparedness. This lawsuit, and the tragedy behind it, should serve as a warning: no family, neighborhood, or institution is immune to disaster without proper planning and accountability.
Where This Is Happening in Austin
The Stewards live in Austin, a city where streets like South Congress Avenue and Riverside Drive connect neighborhoods prone to flooding and heavy traffic during emergencies. Residents of Travis Heights and Bouldin Creek often pass these intersections daily, commuting to work or school, including local institutions such as the Austin Independent School District offices and community centers.
Camp Mystic itself is located near the Guadalupe River outside Kerrville, a popular destination for Austin families seeking summer camps or weekend getaways. The floodwaters that devastated Camp Mystic also impacted surrounding roads like State Highway 27 and Ranch Road 187, which many locals use to access Hill Country recreational areas.
Understanding these routes and the neighborhoods connected by them is crucial for Austin residents. Whether heading to work downtown or traveling west toward the Hill Country, the risk of sudden flooding and the need for swift, informed action remains a pressing concern.
