Camp Mystic requested FEMA to remove over a dozen buildings from floodplain designation multiple times between 2013 and 2020, coinciding with the camp’s expansion. Despite government flood maps showing high flood risk post-2011, private data indicated many camp structures were at even greater risk of flooding. Removing these structures from the maps could eliminate requirements for flood resilience measures and insurance. Tragically, the camp experienced devastating flash floods on July 4, leading to numerous fatalities, while analyses by First Street revealed many cabins were still deemed at risk of flooding according to updated models.
The federal government allowed Camp Mystic to remove multiple buildings from flood maps despite private data indicating a worse flood threat than reported. This decision was made after Camp Mystic's requests to FEMA during significant expansion projects.
FEMA’s maps placed much of Camp Mystic in high-risk floodplain areas following new mapping in 2011. Their removal eliminated essential federal requirements for flood preparedness, insurance, and construction regulations.
An analysis indicated that many cabins at Camp Mystic faced a higher risk of flooding than depicted on FEMA maps. Over two dozen individuals tragically died in July 4 flash floods.
First Street's climate risk assessment highlighted that at least 17 structures at Camp Mystic were in the path of predicted floodwaters, contradicting FEMA's current flood mapping.
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