August 7th, 2026

News report with commentary by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

 One year and a few weeks after the Guadalupe River suddenly rose over 25  feet above its normal levels, houses and buildings built along the banks of the south fork of the Guadalupe River near Hunt,  still show signs of destruction. many with broken and boarded up windows after powerful currents gutted many structures including resort guests.

After watching  Left to Die | The 2025 Camp Mystic Flood Disaster on YouTube, I drove up to see the camp myself.

I was surprised to learn Camp Mystic is closer to the Uvalde area than I thought: a mere 30 minutes drive from the Lost Maples State Natural Area.

  A year later a civil lawsuit against Camp Mystic is still ongoing, but is now paused as the owners of the Camp filed for          Chapter 11 Bankruptcy on June 24th, 2026 according to the Associated Press according to an WNG article.

The article states, “The camp’s debt was listed at more than $10 million. Camp Mystic and its owners face several wrongful death lawsuits from families seeking over $1 million in damages over the July 4, 2025, flooding disaster. Two counselors and 25 young campers died in the floods, along with camp owner Dick Eastland.”

  Having parked along a two lane highway facing the Guadalupe River and the brick cabins and a larger hall built near the river on a low lying area it looked like a postcard. Nearby, a small memorial was found on the side of the highway with wide eyed stuffed animals, candles and other remembrances left at the base of a large wooden cross.

  Some have stated the devastating flood was an “Act of God”and could not have been predicted. 

  I wanted to go see the area myself. I chose not to go in the immediate aftermath of the July 4th flood because I didn’t feel like as a news reporter I could offer any unique story perspective that already wasn’t being covered by the larger news outlets. Also I felt like my presence would get in the way of emergency response and recovery efforts.

I waited a year.

Beauty and the Beast

The view of the Guadalupe River and the land where Camp Mystic is located looks like a picture from a postcard. However, the beauty and the danger are connected. 

Yet, as I drove along Highway 39, I could see signs that the Guadalupe River was in fact a proverbial sleeping lion that would on occasion awake from its slumber. Here is what I noticed:

  The Limestone Bluffs: South Fork of the Guadeloupe River was bordered by towering stone bluffs that were covered by the river over tens of thousands of years. Even after the 2025 flood, the awesome force of the water ripped out huge chunks of limestone likely weighing thousands of pounds. Those bluffs presented an ancient message: This river becomes violent and floods.

  The Low Ground: At Camp Mystic, several brick cabins were built on low ground. One building named Giggle Box, was the sleeping quarters of some of the youngest girls camping at Camp Mystic. It was the cabin that had the most loss of life. It was obvious that many of the cabins were built in a low lying area.

  The Highway: Highway 39 follows the Guadeloupe. It crosses the river numerous times. During a large flooding event like 2025, most of that highway would be flooded and impassable.

Contributing to the geological dangers there are indications that the owners of Camp Mystic, Richard “Dick” Eastland and the Eastland Family did not have a viable emergency plan to evacuate the campers or the counselors situated in the structures located on the low ground nearest to the river.

The Evacuation Plan Failure

 According to San Antonio Express News Reporter Peggy O’Hare, she tweeted, “Richard “Dick” Eastland exerted tight control over Camp Mystic’s operations, according to a report prepared for Texas lawmakers. So when a deadly flood struck one year ago, camp staff waited for his instructions. But most were never told what to do,” 

  In a Tweet by Federal Courts Reporter Elizabeth Zavala, she wrote, CYMI — Report: Camp Mystic did not call any of the 39 adults on its grounds to help evacuate.

It was also reported in the documentary,Left to Die: The 2025 Camp Mystic Flood Disaster,  Camp Mystic had a “Shelter in Place” order for a flood event. Information in the documentary also states the camp counselors were not allowed to have their own cell phones.

Cici Williams Steward, the mother of 8-year old victim Cecilia “Cile” Steward was 8 said, “Shelter in place was a death sentance camoflaged as safety. Dick Eastland enfoeced a culture of obedience so powerful that there staff including the directors of the camp and his children were afraid to assist helpless children if it meant defying  Dick’s orders.”

 

 

 

 

 

Press Release from the Salvation Army

07-17-25

Kerrville, Texas (July 17, 2025) – News of the July 4^th flooding in Central Texas was told instantaneously across the country and indeed the world. The outpouring of love and support received has been overwhelming and The Salvation Army has been working since the morning of the disaster to facilitate assistance to those impacted.

A supply distribution center was quickly established at The Salvation Army in Kerrville, receiving in-kind donations of essential supplies, clothing, and items to benefit impacted individuals and families. Local residents jumped right into the enviable task to receive, sort, and distribute donations – an enormous job – all to provide help to their neighbors in need. At the request of the city and the county, The Salvation Army stepped up to take on the responsibility to manage in-kind donations, and volunteer management during the first week of response.

“The people of Kerr County have come through for their neighbors affected by the flood. We have had so many volunteers and received an incredible number of in-kind donations that have been turned around and put in the hands of those who need them,” said Kathy Clark, Associate Emergency Disaster Services Director for The Salvation Army in Texas. “For two weeks, The Salvation Army building has been a hive of activity, with literally thousands of people coming through our doors either to help, or to receive assistance.”

Sarah lives in Boerne, about 30 miles away from Kerrville, where her parents live. She felt compelled to help after the flood that devastated Kerr County. “I knew I needed to do something to help and quickly got connected with The Salvation Army. My daughter and I got to the distribution center on Monday, July 6^th, just a couple of days after the flood, and have been working here every day since then,” said Sarah. “I spent all the first week directing traffic outside in the heat. There was so much stuff coming in and it took a few days to get everything organized. We’ve had a great team of staff and volunteers and by Thursday people were coming to pick up the items they needed. I’m so pleased we have been able to do our part and make a difference for those who have lost so much.”

Other people traveled from further afield to lend a hand. Mary Ellen Wehr and her son Luke, from Baltimore, Maryland, saw the horrific news of the disaster on TV and felt a pull—one stronger than distance, schedules, or summer plans.

“We just kept seeing the images on TV,” said Mary Ellen. “And we felt called to come down to help however we could. We had a few free days and figured we could make time for this.”

Thanks to friends in Houston who had shared posts about local volunteer opportunities, the Wehrs found open volunteer shifts, registered with The Salvation Army, and made plans to head to Texas.

What the Wehrs found in Kerrville was not just devastation, but a powerful display of unity. They served at The Salvation Army mobile kitchen and distribution site, handing out bottled water, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, tools, work gloves and more.

“People have showed up not just for themselves, but for their neighbors too,” said Mary Ellen. “We had someone come with hand-written supply lists from nursing home residents who couldn’t get out themselves.”

Luke added, “The service, the donations and the volunteerism has been so touching to experience. Everyone is so passionate about supporting their community and taking care of each other. I’ve learned that ‘Texas Strong’ is a real thing. We’ve seen it and believe it.”

The Salvation Army has served as a central hub in this outpouring of support, providing meals, drinks and Emotional and Spiritual Care, organizing donation drop-offs, distributing supplies, and coordinating volunteers like the Wehrs.

“Those who have come to receive help and collect supplies have been incredibly grateful,” said Mary Ellen. “We had literally hundreds of cars come through last night to receive items. The need is real. And we’re just thankful to be part of the response and for The Salvation Army, and all the organization does.”

As they prepare to head back to Maryland, Mary Ellen and Luke leave behind more than hard work and services. They leave a legacy of kindness and compassion.

The Salvation Army has provided 6,407 meals, 39,949 snacks, and 40,316 drinks since service began on July 4. They have also distributed 1,119 cleanup kits, 1,986 hygiene kits, 1,028 cleaning supplies, and made 2,457 ESC contacts. Three mobile feeding units are mobilized in Kerrville, Ingram, and Hunt, and two additional units are working in San Angelo. Disaster Response Center’s are now open in San Angelo and Kerrville where flood survivors can apply for and receive immediate recovery assistance.

The Salvation Army is no longer accepting in-kind donations or spontaneous volunteers in Kerr County. To make a financial donation to support ongoing recover efforts, please call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or go to helpsalvationarmy.org.

For more information on The Salvation Army’s current disaster response efforts and specific feeding locations, go to www.salarmyeds.org.

 

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About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army annually helps nearly 24 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at nearly 7,000 centers of operation around the country. For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on X @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.

By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

07-07-05

Several businesses and organizations have initiated efforts to raise funds and collect needed supplies to assist Kerrville with its relief and recovery efforts.

Oasis Outback and Tomas Valle American Legion Post 479 Uvalde, TX conducted relief efforts over the weekend through today.

The Uvalde Hesperian will be creating a special Kerrville Relief Page on the Uvalde Hesperian website. Any effort to assist the Kerrville Community, please let the Uvalde Hesperian know.