The Battle Over Camp Mystic’s Reopening
In the early hours of July 4, 2025, the Guadalupe River roared through a low-lying stretch of the Texas Hill Country known as “Flash Flood Alley,” tearing through the cabins of Camp Mystic, a 100-year-old all-girls Christian summer camp. The fast-rising waters swept away two cabins next to the river, killing at least 25 campers and two teenage counselors. Among the dead was the camp’s own director. The victims — now known collectively as “Heaven’s 27” — ranged in age from eight to seventeen. For many families, the grief has never had a chance to settle. Yet for the Eastland family, who own Camp Mystic, the path forward leads back to camp — and that decision has fractured the community of families it once united.
The Case for Reopening
The Eastland family announced plans to reopen Camp Mystic Cypress Lake, a separate property not adjacent to the Guadalupe River that sustained no damage in the July 4 floods. They have been careful to frame the decision not as a dismissal of the tragedy, but as a response to it.
In a letter to parents, the Eastlands said their goal is not only to comply with new camp safety laws passed by the Texas Legislature and signed by Governor Greg Abbott, but to exceed them. New safety measures include four flood warning monitors, two-way radios in cabins with national weather alerts, and generators in key buildings.
For some families, sending their daughters back is itself an act of healing. Liberty Lindley’s 9-year-old daughter Evie was trapped in a cabin during the flooding and was eventually evacuated by helicopter, watching friends swept to their deaths. Yet when asked if she wanted to return to Camp Mystic, Evie did not hesitate. “I know some people don’t understand that or think that’s crazy,” Lindley acknowledged — but for her daughter, the camp represents something worth reclaiming.
More than 850 campers have already signed up for this summer, suggesting that many families see a future at Camp Mystic, not just a past. For them, closure may come not from shuttering the gates but from walking back through them — with better safeguards in place.
The Case Against Reopening
To families who lost daughters in the floods, the push to reopen feels like a betrayal.
CiCi and Will Steward, whose 8-year-old daughter Cile died in the floods and whose body has still not been recovered, wrote to camp officials: “To promote reopening less than three months after the tragedy — while one camper remains missing — is unthinkable.”
Will and CiCi Steward, whose 8-year-old daughter was among 27 people killed in the Camp Mystic flood, asked a judge to keep the Hill Country camp closed until their lawsuit goes to trial.
— San Antonio Express-News (@ExpressNews) March 4, 2026
Cecilia ‘Cile’ Steward is the only Camp Mystic flood victim whose body hasn’t been… pic.twitter.com/UooPBu6jfV
Their anguish is compounded by troubling revelations. During court testimony, it emerged that the girls in the cabins did not have walkie-talkies, and that while the camp had security cameras, no one was monitoring the live feed when flooding began. Counselors, testimony revealed, were trained only to keep campers away from floodwaters rather than to implement broader evacuation procedures — and it remains unclear whether a written evacuation plan existed at all on July 4.
The lawsuits go further. Court filings allege that camp owner Dick Eastland, a former and current member of the Upper Guadalupe River Management Authority, was long aware of catastrophic flood risk and failed to act — and that Camp Mystic had previously lobbied FEMA to have more than 30 structures removed from its flood zone maps. One lawsuit contends the camp had prioritized reopening over taking responsibility for ignoring “a century of warnings.”
There is also the matter of evidence. Families fighting in court argued that renovations at the original camp site were literally destroying the physical record of what happened. Court filings included photos appearing to show heavy machinery reshaping the grounds and cabins stripped to the studs.
Where the Courts Now Stand
On March 4, a Travis County judge issued a partial ruling. Judge Maya Guerra Gamble halted renovations at the Guadalupe camp site pending the outcome of investigations, but ruled that Camp Mystic Cypress Lake may reopen in summer 2026. A Texas Rangers captain filed an affidavit confirming that a criminal investigation remains ongoing, and a civil trial is currently set for no later than April 2028.
The ruling splits the difference — preserving the original flood site as evidence while allowing a new chapter to begin at the untouched Cypress Lake campus. It is a legal compromise, but it does little to resolve the moral one.
An Unresolved Grief
There is no clean answer here.
One father whose daughters survived said he plans to “take this year off and see how it goes” before deciding whether to send them back — a posture that captures the ambivalence of many. Some families need to return to heal. Others cannot fathom it while investigations are open, a child remains unrecovered, and accountability has yet to be established.
What Camp Mystic’s reopening debate reveals is that grief, like floodwater, doesn’t follow predictable channels. The Eastlands may be acting in good faith; the bereaved parents fighting them almost certainly are too. What no one can claim, yet, is that it’s time to move on.
Sources:
- Houston Public Media, “Camp Mystic announces enhanced safety plans after death of 25 girls, 2 counselors,” December 3, 2025
- PBS NewsHour, “Camp Mystic’s reopening plans in Texas has drawn outrage, but some families want to return,” December 23, 2025
- NPR, “Camp Mystic plans to reopen in Texas next summer, a year after floods killed 27,” September 24, 2025
- Texas Tribune, “Camp Mystic announces safety plans after deadly July 4 flood,” December 2, 2025
- Fox 7 Austin, “Judge grants Camp Mystic flooding victim injunction; camp will still reopen,” March 2026
- CBS Texas, “Judge declines to shut down Camp Mystic as lawsuit over deadly flood moves forward,” March 2026
- KXAN Austin, “Judge halts renovations at Camp Mystic Guadalupe site as flood victim’s family fights to prevent reopening,” March 2026
- KHOU 11, “Judge orders Camp Mystic to stop construction at Guadalupe campus,” March 2026
- Wikipedia, “Camp Mystic,” accessed March 2026
“Nobody should have to live through that or be a victim. When I heard of this fundraiser, I knew this was one of the places I wanted to stop. I want to have fun on my birthday, but I also want to support something that’s important for Austin.” — Allyson Spottswood
Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden in downtown Austin officially reopened on Friday, less than a week after a tragic mass shooting at the venue claimed the lives of three people and injured 18 others. Management described the decision to resume operations as a “step forward” in the healing process for both the community and the staff, noting that 40 of their 41 employees expressed they were ready to return to work. To support those affected, the bar announced it would donate 100% of its sales from the reopening weekend (Friday through Sunday) to the victims and their families.
The latest updates from the FBI and Austin Police Department (APD):
The Investigation & Suspect
- Perpetrator Identified: The shooter was Ndiaga Diagne, a 53-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Senegal. He was killed at the scene by APD officers within five minutes of the first 911 call.
- Motive Under Review: While no official motive has been confirmed, the FBI is investigating the attack as a potential act of terrorism. Evidence suggests possible self-radicalization; Diagne was wearing a sweatshirt with the words “Property of Allah” and a shirt featuring the Iranian flag.
- Digital & Physical Evidence: Federal agents have executed eight search warrants, including three at Diagne’s residences. They have seized electronic devices and are analyzing over 2,000 digital images and videos. A search of his home reportedly uncovered an Iranian flag and photos of Iranian leaders.
- Mental Health History: Investigators noted a 2022 “welfare check” in New York involving Diagne, but he was not taken into custody at that time and had no prior criminal record with the APD.
Casualties and Timeline
- The Victims: Four people died, including the suspect. The deceased victims were identified as Ryder Harrington (19), Savitha Shan (21), and Jorge Pederson (30), who died at the hospital on Monday.
- Injury Count: A total of 18 people were injured. As of late last week, two victims remained hospitalized, with one in critical condition.
- Officer Actions: The Travis County District Attorney’s Office has already cleared the officers involved in the shooting, describing their rapid response—arriving on the scene in just 57 seconds—as heroic and necessary to prevent further loss of life.
Current Status
The FBI’s San Antonio Field Office continues to lead the forensic analysis of Diagne’s background and social media presence. They have processed his last known residence and are currently pursuing leads to see if anyone else assisted in the planning of the attack.
Four people were displaced after Travis County Fire Rescue and Austin Fire units responded to a structure fire in Southeast Austin Saturday afternoon.
TCFR and Austin Fire units with a working structure fire in the 5900 blk Zachary Scott St. Home reportedly struck by lightning. Fire under control with no injuries. @austinfiredept pic.twitter.com/a9SO0qPTRm
— Travis County Fire Rescue (@TC_Fire_Rescue) March 7, 2026
Lake Travis authorities were busy Saturday.
A traffic stop in Bexar County led to a large meth bust.
PODCAST
On a “From the Vault” edition of “Inside the Investigation,” KXAN Director of Investigations & Innovation Josh Hinkle and Senior Investigative Producer David Barer revisit KXAN’s “Dead & Undone” investigation into police reporting custodial deaths to the state, along with updates to the topic still playing out today across Texas.
(Episode from March 7, 2026)
Nightly closures of the U.S. 290 flyovers that connect the highway to Interstate 35 are set to begin on Sunday, as crews with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) are set to make repairs to bridge joints.
WEATHER
SATURDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES
Yesterday’s high temperatures were recorded in the late morning. As the rain and storm system moved through around midday, temperatures began dropping into the 50s.
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
LAKE TRAVIS WEATHER TIMELAPSE
A disaster declaration is in effect after a tornado touched down in Marion County yesterday.
A private jet from Houston that crashed in Maine in January, killing all six people aboard, remained on the ground eight minutes longer than it should have after receiving a deicing treatment in a snowstorm, according to a preliminary report issued Friday by the National Transportation Safety Board.
San Antonio’s 2026 César E. Chávez March for Justice has been cancelled. The event, originally scheduled on March 28, was cancelled by the César E. Chávez Legacy and Educational Foundation.
Video released by investigators in the fatal shooting last March of a U.S. citizen by a federal immigration agent calls into question a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson’s claim that the victim “intentionally ran over” a different agent before being shot. (Washington Post)
From the Houston Chronicle.
00:00 – Cold Open: “Je ne sais quoi” debate
00:31 – Texas Primary Election: Biggest Surprises
01:27 – Chris Turner’s Upset Loss Explained
02:16 – Who Is Junior Ezeonu? The 26-Year-Old Rising Star
03:39 – A New Generation in Texas Politics
05:13 – Junior Ezeonu Interview: Why He Challenged Chris Turner
07:08 – How Canvassing Won the Race
10:04 – Policy Priorities: Schools, Housing & Small Business
11:03 – Is 26 Too Young for the Legislature?
17:47 – Chris Turner Reacts to the Election Results
Primary Upset – Republican Nate Sheets pulled off a surprising win in Tuesday’s primary over three-term Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. Now he’s outlining plans for changing how the office operates; should he win in November. Dylan McKim interviews the GOP nominee.
A controversial Texas Ranger statue is now on display at Globe Life Field in Arlington after being removed from Dallas Love Field.
SPORTS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Senior Jordan Pope recorded a game-high 30 points, but Texas (18-13, 9-9 SEC) dropped a hard-fought 88-85 decision in overtime to Oklahoma (17-14, 7-11 SEC) on Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd in Moody Center. With the loss, the Longhorns claimed the No. 10 seed in the upcoming SEC Tournament and will face No. 15 seed Ole Miss in a First Round contest on Wednesday, March 11 at 6 p.m. Central (7 p.m. Eastern) on SEC Network. (Texas Longhorns)
ON THE SCHEDULE
One other game of note in the SEC Saturday as well as two in the Big 12:
COLLEGE BASEBALL: No. 3 Texas registered a seven-spot in the fifth and held off a late USC Upstate rally, logging an 11-9 victory at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Saturday. Saturday’s near four-hour marathon — which was originally scheduled for 2 p.m. before being pushed back until 4 p.m. — featured an 84-minute weather delay that halted play in the sixth. (Texas Longhorns)
cue the Horns win highlights 📽️#HookEm | @LonghornNetwork pic.twitter.com/hIDa9soIQ5
— Texas Baseball (@TexasBaseball) March 8, 2026
TODAY
The Longhorns will look to win their 15th straight game in the series finale today. First pitch is set for noon at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
NBA: Dallas, Houston and San Antonio were idle Saturday but are back in action today including a fun showdown at Frost Bank Center.
NHL: The Dallas Stars host Chicago this evening.
MLS: Austin FC fell in a 3-1 defeat to Charlotte FC on Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium. The Verde & Black battled well in the second half but Charlotte found their second and third goals from Pep Biel to decide the game. (Austin FC)
ON THE SCHEDULE
Watch the full 2026 RODEOHOUSTON Super Series I, Championship.
