Additional Coverage:
Tragedy at Camp Mystic comes just days after state health officials approved emergency plans.
A mere two days before the devastating floods that claimed at least 27 lives at Camp Mystic, the Texas Department of State Health Services had signed off on the camp’s emergency preparedness plans. State inspectors visited the camp on July 2nd and reported that emergency plans were in place “in case of disaster,” with staff and volunteers briefed on the procedures.
A DSHS spokesperson confirmed that camps are required to develop their own emergency plans, covering scenarios like floods, tornadoes, and other disasters. These plans are then reviewed by the state for compliance with regulations. Inspectors confirmed that Camp Mystic had posted these plans in every building and conducted training sessions with staff and volunteers.
While the state’s inspection report indicated no violations and full compliance with regulations at the time of the visit, the specific details of Camp Mystic’s emergency plan have not been released. The camp had 557 campers and 108 staff members across its two locations when the inspection occurred. The tragic flooding just days later raises questions about the adequacy and execution of these plans in the face of the disaster.