Current Status and Reopening Plans
As of April 2026, Camp Mystic has not yet received approval to reopen. The camp announced its intention to open on May 30, 2026 for its 100th summer season at a separate site away from the original location devastated by flooding. However, reopening is contingent on the camp addressing regulatory deficiencies and obtaining its operating license from the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Safety Deficiencies Identified
Texas regulators identified dozens of gaps in Camp Mystic's emergency planning in an 11-page letter. Key deficiencies include an insufficient emergency warning system, missing floodplain maps showing camper cabin locations, a flawed fire evacuation plan, unclear staff roles during emergencies, incomplete 911 coordination procedures, undefined parent notification processes, incomplete disability accommodations, and missing required documentation.
Timeline and Compliance Requirements
The camp has 45 days from the regulatory notice to correct all identified deficiencies and submit a corrected emergency plan. The Texas Department of State Health Services stated that all 174 camps submitting emergency plans this year received similar deficiency letters as part of routine licensing review under new emergency-planning laws. Camp Mystic may contact DSHS for assistance in addressing the deficiencies.
Underlying Failures in 2025 Disaster
Camp leadership testified that they did not see or act on National Weather Service flood warnings before the July 4, 2025 disaster. Camp officials did not convene a staff meeting about potential flooding, had no detailed written flood evacuation plan, and limited communication systems (no cellphones in cabins, few radios) hampered response efforts. The camp's medical officer also failed to report the deaths to state regulators within the required 24-hour window.
Family Opposition and Legal Action
Families of deceased campers have criticized the decision to reopen the camp, questioning whether sufficient preventive measures have been taken. In February 2026, families of nine flood victims sued the state, alleging it failed to properly demand an evacuation plan from the camp. Camp leadership acknowledged that earlier action could have saved lives during the original disaster. 
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