Federal regulators have faced scrutiny following appeals that allowed Camp Mystic, a prestigious summer camp for girls, to operate in a dangerous floodplain, resulting in devastating flooding that claimed the lives of children and staff. In a detailed review by The Associated Press, it was revealed that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had repeatedly granted requests to remove the camp’s buildings from the 100-year flood map.
The camp was designated in 2011 as part of a “Special Flood Hazard Area” according to FEMA’s National Flood Insurance map for Kerr County, which mandated flood insurance and imposed stricter regulations on construction within the area. This designation signified a 1% chance of flooding in any given year, indicating a significant risk for the existing structures.
Situated along the Guadalupe River, Camp Mystic was heavily impacted when rapid floodwaters surged through its grounds on July 4, leading to the loss of at least 27 campers and counselors, along with the camp’s longtime owner, Dick Eastland. Experts noted that the flood was far more severe than a typical 100-year event, catching many unprepared in a community that lacked an effective warning system.
Syracuse University associate professor Sarah Pralle raised alarms about the exemptions granted to Camp Mystic, underlining the responsibility of the camp for the welfare of its numerous young attendees. She questioned why proactive measures weren’t taken to relocate buildings away from flood risks or to challenge what she viewed as a reasonable flood map.
Despite attempts to reach Camp Mystic for comments, the camp described the flooding as an “unimaginable tragedy” and stated they were working on restoring communication with supporters.
In response to an appeal from Camp Mystic, FEMA amended its flood map in 2013, removing 15 of the camp’s buildings from the hazardous area. These buildings were part of the camp’s nearly century-long existence when it met its unfortunate demise during the flood.
Further appeals led to the removal of 15 additional structures in 2019 and 2020. These new buildings were located at the Camp Mystic Cypress Lake, which had just opened and was part of a major expansion of the camp. While this location experienced less damage, campers noted that the cabins at the Cypress Lake site suffered significant harm.
Despite the flood map amendments, experts indicated that the flood risks were evident. An analysis showed at least 12 structures were completely within FEMA’s designated 100-year floodplain, with several others partially fitting within it. According to data from First Street, a technology company that specializes in climate risk assessment, nearly all structures at the Camp Mystic Guadalupe site were at risk during a 100-year flood event.
The structures at the more recent Cypress Lake site were better positioned away from the southern fork of the river, yet they remained adjacent to Cypress Creek. FEMA’s floodplain did not account for risks from smaller waterways like this creek. However, First Street’s analysis revealed that much of the Cypress Lake site was still at risk during a 100-year flood, complicating safety assessments.
In a statement, FEMA downplayed the importance of the alterations to the flood maps, noting that these maps are meant to reflect minimum floodplain management standards and help identify areas with the highest flood insurance risk. They stated that these maps are not predictive of future floods or indicative of prior flooding events.
The process of appealing FEMA’s map designations often involves property owners hiring engineers to conduct extensive studies. This process, described as arduous, can lead to more accurate mapping while simultaneously easing the building process for owners.
Pralle, analyzing the appeals, raised concerns that some buildings that received exemptions were still very close to FEMA’s floodplain calculations, indicating little margin for error. Research she conducted shows that FEMA approves around 90% of map amendment requests, suggesting a process that may benefit wealthier and more influential property owners.
In a prior study, Pralle and researcher Devin Lea examined over 20,000 buildings removed from FEMA maps and found that such amendments were more common in areas with higher property values, a predominance of white residents, and newer buildings.
Despite FEMA cautioning that parts of the camp remained on the flood map and that future construction would still fall under floodplain regulations, local officials allowed Camp Mystic to continue operations and expand significantly.
The camp has a history of caring for prominent Texas families’ children, with expansion efforts led by Dick and Tweety Eastland due to the camp’s “tremendous success.” The growth included new cabins, a dining hall, chapel, and other facilities, welcoming 557 campers and over 100 staff just days before the flood tragedy. Inspections by state licensing agencies occurred on July 2, highlighting the camp’s ongoing operations.
FEMA referred inquiries about the expansion to local authorities, who did not respond to requests for comments.
Experts pointed out that the extreme rain and flooding that struck Kerr County came in an unprecedented volume, making it challenging to fully attribute the disaster to floodplain management failures. Local officials believed they were acting in accordance with existing regulations when they permitted the camp’s growth; yet, the unpredictable force of nature has now set a new standard for flood response in the area.
In conclusion, the amendments to Camp Mystic’s flood designations by FEMA have ignited debates around safety, regulation, and accountability in light of a catastrophic event that could have been mitigated with stricter adherence to flood management protocols. As communities reassess their flood risks, the tragic loss at Camp Mystic serves as a stark reminder of the need for proactive strategies in floodplain management.
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