Evacuation Oversights in Deadly Texas Camp Flood Revealed

Wed Apr 15 2026 22:16:37 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Testimony during a legal hearing sheds light on the tragic events surrounding the Camp Mystic flood, raising questions about emergency protocols and evacuations.

In a recent hearing regarding the Camp Mystic flood that claimed 25 lives, Glenn Juenke, a security guard at the camp, acknowledged that earlier evacuation orders could have saved lives. His testimony highlighted the lack of training for evacuation and the chaotic nature of the night, where he made crucial decisions to protect campers amidst rising waters. Families of victims are outraged as the camp seeks to reopen, underlining the need for thorough emergency preparedness.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Glenn Juenke, the security guard at Camp Mystic during last year’s devastating flood, stated in court that a timely evacuation order could have saved lives. This revelation came amid a legal hearing between camp operators and the families of victims affected by the July 4th disaster.

While Juenke was able to guide some campers to safety by moving them to a higher building, he later found himself trapped in a cabin as floodwaters swiftly rose. He testified about the desperate conditions that night, explaining that he urged a group of young campers to flee to higher ground on foot after making the decision independently, rather than acting on orders from camp directors.

Throughout the three-day hearing, which aims to address the future of the camp and the ongoing grief of victim families, it became clear that the camp’s lack of a structured evacuation plan contributed to the chaos. Juenke mentioned that there had been no training for campers or staff on where to go in an emergency, which further complicated the response efforts.

The camp's reopening plan has sparked outrage among families who have lost loved ones, especially as the camp's license remains under scrutiny by state health regulators. A recent court ruling mandated that damaged areas of the camp be preserved as evidence, a decision that is currently under appeal.

During his testimony, Juenke recalled the frantic moments as floodwaters surged around him, forcing campers into precarious situations as they sought refuge on floating air mattresses. Frustration mounted as he remarked that even with numerous evacuation plans, nothing could have adequately prepared them for the flood’s severity.

Lawyers representing the victims’ families pointed to the absence of clear evacuation orders as a critical factor in the tragedy, with an emergency notice found in cabins instructing campers to wait for further instructions. In total, the flood resulted in the tragic loss of 25 campers and two counselors, including camp co-owner Dick Eastland.

One attorney noted that had proper warnings been communicated before the flood intensified, many lives, including that of 8-year-old Cile Steward, whose body has yet to be recovered, might have been spared.

In contrast, Juenke defended the actions taken by himself and the camp staff that fateful night, asserting that they did everything possible under the circumstances.