A Texas judge has reaffirmed her earlier decision barring Camp Mystic from using or modifying any buildings linked to the tragic flooding incident that claimed the lives of 27 campers and staff members last summer. This ruling comes as part of ongoing legal proceedings after the devastating flood, which occurred in July 2025, and has left one camper, Cile Steward, still unaccounted for.
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During the third day of the hearing, Glenn Juenke, serving as a night watchman at the camp, gave a harrowing testimony in which he acknowledged that the loss of life could have been mitigated had there been timely evacuation protocols in place. The Steward family’s lawsuit, which charges the camp with negligence, seeks to prevent any alterations to the site, citing the need to preserve evidence relevant to their case.
Juenke, a retired police officer from Houston, revealed during questioning by the Steward family’s attorney, Brad Beckworth, that a timely warning could have potentially saved lives. When pressed about whether the staff should have alerted campers before the floodwaters reached dangerous levels, he conceded, “Yes, sir,” indicating that early communication might have averted the tragedy.
Remarkably, Juenke stated that he did not notice any flooding at 1 a.m., the time of his last property check. He noted that as he monitored the situation, he informed Dick Eastland, the late co-owner of Camp Mystic, who subsequently reached out to his son, Edward Eastland, the camp director. Unfortunately, by the time paths for evacuation were being discussed, the water levels had risen significantly, making it impossible to leave safely.
During his testimony, Juenke recounted multiple attempts to evacuate campers, stating that his efforts to transport them to the rec hall were hampered by rapidly rising water. Although he ultimately succeeded in evacuating some campers, he described the desperate situation, admitting, “I was terrified that I was gonna lose one of those kids.” While the children he helped did survive, the horror deepened with the loss of Dick Eastland and other girls who were trapped in a vehicle during their attempt to escape.
Despite the harsh circumstances faced that night, Juenke defended his actions and those of the camp staff, asserting, “We did everything we could do in the time that we had.” However, he also admitted a lack of recollection regarding emergency evacuation training provided to the campers, staff, and counsel.
Meanwhile, Edward Eastland provided his own testimony, revealing that the camp was set to host approximately 850 campers for its upcoming summer session, despite the tragic events of the previous year. This has raised concerns about the camp’s readiness and safety measures in place following the disaster.
As the hearing concluded, Judge Maya Guerra upheld her earlier ruling restricting any alterations to the buildings associated with the flood, excluding only one cabin. The stipulation for that cabin remains contingent on the residents’ commitment not to tamper with any potential evidence.
Looking ahead, a status hearing is scheduled for May, while the trial for the Steward family’s lawsuit is anticipated to commence in 2027. This lengthy timeline underscores the continuing quest for justice and accountability within the devastated community and beyond.
As Camp Mystic navigates the aftermath of this tragedy, the families affected continue to call for answers and legal recourse. The need for improved emergency protocols and safety measures looms large as the camp seeks to move forward in the wake of an unfathomable loss.