Texas lawmakers to hold hearings on deadly floods that killed over 100

Texas lawmakers are set to convene a high-profile, two-day hearing this week to examine the devastating Fourth of July floods that tore through the Hill Country last year, leaving more than 100 people dead and communities searching for answers.

The joint hearing, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, marks the first public session of special investigative committees formed by both the Texas House and Senate. The panels were created to conduct a sweeping review of the disaster, which unfolded when intense rainfall caused the Guadalupe River to rise rapidly overnight, inundating homes, RV parks and youth camps with little warning.

In recent weeks, much of the public focus has centered on Camp Mystic, where 27 girls and the camp’s director lost their lives. The tragedy has become a focal point for both grief and scrutiny, particularly as questions persist about preparedness, emergency response, and whether more could have been done to prevent the loss of life.

Earlier this month, the camp’s owners testified in an Austin courtroom as part of an ongoing lawsuit filed by the parents of a young camper who remains missing. The proceedings detailed the chaos of the early morning hours, as staff struggled to evacuate children from cabins overtaken by fast-rising floodwaters. The camp now faces multiple lawsuits from families seeking accountability.

Lawmakers have also visited the Camp Mystic site in the aftermath of those hearings, touring the flood-ravaged property and meeting with residents along the Guadalupe River corridor. Community members gathered during the visit to urge officials not to lose sight of the broader toll of the disaster, which included vacationing families, RV park guests, and longtime Kerr County residents.

The resolutions that established the investigative committees call for a comprehensive review of the circumstances surrounding the flooding, signaling that the inquiry will extend beyond any single location. Still, top state leaders have repeatedly highlighted Camp Mystic in public statements, underscoring its prominence in the unfolding investigation.

State Sen. José Menéndez has indicated the hearings will likely revisit regulations governing youth camps, particularly emergency preparedness requirements. Lawmakers are expected to hear detailed testimony reconstructing the timeline of the flood and identifying potential gaps in communication, planning, and infrastructure.

Following last year’s disaster, the Texas Legislature passed new safety measures aimed at reducing future risk. Those changes included enhanced emergency planning requirements for youth camps and mandates for flood warning sirens in vulnerable Hill Country areas. Experts have noted that while such systems can provide critical alerts, they are not foolproof.

Regulators are already evaluating compliance with the updated rules. The Texas Department of State Health Services recently notified Camp Mystic that its emergency plan failed to meet standards in 22 categories, giving the camp 45 days to address deficiencies. Other camps across the state received similar notices, suggesting broader challenges in meeting the new requirements.

Despite the ongoing investigations and regulatory concerns, Camp Mystic has indicated plans to reopen portions of its property this summer. Meanwhile, state officials remain divided on whether the camp should be allowed to operate, as multiple agencies — including state health regulators and law enforcement — continue their reviews.

The outcome of this week’s hearings could shape future policy decisions and determine what changes are needed to better protect lives in flood-prone regions.