The heart-wrenching impact of the July 4th flash flood disaster that claimed the lives of 27 children at Camp Mystic on the Guadalupe River was powerfully conveyed during emotional testimonies before the Texas Senate Disaster Preparedness and Flooding Select Committee on Wednesday.
A coalition of parents, who have been irrevocably affected by the tragedy, gathered to urge lawmakers to implement critical reforms aimed at enhancing safety protocols at youth camps across Texas.
Cici Williams Steward, mother of 8-year-old Cile Steward, who remains missing, spoke with deep sorrow about her daughter’s first-time experience at the camp, a tradition cherished by multiple generations of women in her family.
“Three generations of women in my family went to Camp Mystic. This year, it was finally Cile’s turn. She was 8 years old, going for the very first time, her heart full of excitement,” Steward recalled. “For me, it meant watching my child grow and learn, but always under the assurance that she would be safe.”
Steward expressed profound grief as she recounted the betrayal of that assurance. “Obvious common-sense safety measures were absent, and protocols that should have been in place were ignored,” she stated, breaking down during her testimony.
The emotional burden of waiting for her daughter’s remains has transformed her family’s life into what she described as a “torture chamber of uncertainty.”
She resolutely demanded accountability: “Cile’s life ended not because of an unavoidable act of nature but because of preventable failures on just her fifth day of camp.”
The testimonies elicited an urgent call for support of Senate Bill 1, a legislative measure designed to improve safety regulations at campgrounds along the Guadalupe River, the site of the catastrophic flood.
The Campaign for Camp Safety, representing the parents, issued a statement highlighting the necessity for reforms to prevent future tragedies similar to the one they are enduring.
Texas State Senator Charles Perry introduced Senate Bill 1, stating that it would enforce basic safety reforms in youth camps by requiring emergency plans to be established in coordination with local authorities, outlawing the construction of cabins within flood plains, equipping cabins with safety roof-top ladders, and mandating multiple internet connections for robust communication in emergencies.
“If Senate Bill 1 had been enacted at the time of the flood, I have no doubt some lives would have been saved,” Perry asserted.
The parents intended to provide further suggestions on improving safety protocols, particularly focusing on the need for rapid evacuation plans and emergency equipment in flood-prone areas.
Michael McCown, whose daughter Linnie was among the deceased, voiced his shock over the absence of a robust emergency response plan. “We trusted she would be safe. No parent should ever again face what we are living through now,” he lamented.
Carrie Hanna, grieving the loss of her 8-year-old daughter Hadley, criticized the camp for failing to have adequate safety measures and training for counselors.
“I lied to her (Hadley),” Hanna recounted, her heart filled with anguish. “She not only wasn’t safe; she died due to the complete lack of a plan.”
Clark Baker shared with the committee the last memory he had with his daughter, Mary Grace, capturing a moment of innocence that he can no longer reconcile with her tragic end.
Brandt Dillon, whose daughter Lucy also lost her life in the flood, passionately implored lawmakers not to compromise the integrity of Senate Bill 1 as it progresses through the legislature.
“When Lucy left for camp, it was the very first time she ever slept away from us. We entrusted her care, and we never believed she would be returned to us in a casket,” he shared, visibly devastated.
Dillon’s testimony underscored the profound expectations that parents place on youth camps for their children’s safety and well-being. He called for stringent enforcement of adequate safety standards in outdoor youth programs.
Ryan DeWitt vividly recounted the last moments he spent with his daughter Molly, who was also a camper. These memories were stark reminders of the uncertainties faced by families affected by the tragedy.
“She grabbed me by both arms and looked me directly in the eye, saying, ‘I love you, dad,'” DeWitt recalled, emotions overwhelming him as he spoke in front of the committee, encapsulating the innocence lost that fateful day.
The committee, visibly moved by the heartfelt testimonies, acknowledged the vital importance of listening to these grieving families. State Senator Lois Kolkhorst assured the parents, “You are being heard, and you are impacting lives.”
Camp Mystic, among the 19 youth summer camps located on the Guadalupe River near Hunt, Texas, witnessed devastating consequences during the flash flood on July 4.
Historically severe rains caused the river to rise alarmingly fast, leading to the tragic incident in which many campers were trapped in their cabins.
Government officials reported more than 12 inches of rain fell in under six hours, causing the river to swell by over 20 feet per hour during the night.
The aftermath of the flooding saw the loss of at least 138 lives in the Hill Country, with Kerr County reporting 117 fatalities.
Insight into the disaster revealed that an inadequate flash-flood warning system upstream contributed to the tragic outcomes experienced by campers and their families.
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly informed the committee that, following the disaster, an independent study confirmed the severity of the flood event as a once-in-a-thousand-years occurrence.
Kelly faced challenging questions regarding the timeliness of evacuation orders. When asked about missed warnings, he stated, “It was too late.”
The desire for change echoed throughout the testimonies as families urged lawmakers to ensure sufficient safeguards for future generations of campers in Texas.
Overall, the emotional testimonies highlighted the need for urgent legislative action to address existing gaps in safety protocols, aiming to prevent other families from facing the devastating pain experienced by those who lost loved ones during the Camp Mystic tragedy.
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