Camp Mystic flood victim families testify during Texas Senate committee hearing
AUSTIN, Texas – Dozens of families and loved ones who lost their children to devastating floods in the Texas Hill Country urged lawmakers to consider reforms and improve safety at youth camps across the state during a special committee hearing on Wednesday.
RELATED: Texas Democrats return for second special session as redistricting fight resumes
It’s been more than a month since the horrific floods, but for the first time, Camp Mystic families will appear publicly before the Texas legislature to share their experiences of unthinkable loss.
All to ensure lawmakers will enact stronger safety standards to ensure history won’t repeat itself .
“Our children’s lives were cut short because the safeguards in place were not enough,” a spokesperson for the Campaign for Camp Safety said in a news release. “We are asking lawmakers to make sure no other family ever has to endure the pain we have lived with every day since July 4th.”
Start Here, Houston Before you "PRESS START" to your day, get ahead of the game with our morning newsletter.
Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.
About the Author Ahmed Humble headshot
Historian, educator, writer, expert on "The Simpsons," amateur photographer, essayist, film & tv reviewer and race/religious identity scholar. Joined KPRC 2 in Spring 2024 but has been featured in various online newspapers and in the Journal of South Texas' Fall 2019 issue.
Sleeping through danger: Overnight severe weather risk in Houston ▶ 1:33
Sleeping through danger: Overnight severe weather risk in Houston
KPRC 2’s Brittany Begley explains Houston’s overnight severe weather risk ▶ 1:36
KPRC 2’s Brittany Begley explains Houston’s overnight severe weather risk
Severe weather remains possible for Houston Saturday night into Sunday morning ▶ 2:07
Severe weather remains possible for Houston Saturday night into Sunday morning
More severe weather possible Saturday ▶ 0:37
More severe weather possible Saturday
Blackout Wednesday, the night before Thanksgiving, among the deadliest for alcohol-related crashes ▶ 2:26
Blackout Wednesday, the night before Thanksgiving, among the deadliest for alcohol-related crashes
2 National Guard members shot in an ambush attack just blocks from the White House ▶ 0:58
2 National Guard members shot in an ambush attack just blocks from the White House
Texas tightens ID rules for vehicle registration, prompting concerns ▶ 0:52
Texas tightens ID rules for vehicle registration, prompting concerns
Men's Cosmetic Surgery Trends Surge in 2025: What You Need to Know ▶ 0:57
Men's Cosmetic Surgery Trends Surge in 2025: What You Need to Know
What does damage from an EF-2 tornado look like? ▶ 1:09
What does damage from an EF-2 tornado look like?
Cypress neighborhood cleaning up after Monday's tornado ▶ 0:54
Cypress neighborhood cleaning up after Monday's tornado
Illegal side hustle: NRG Park employees accused of stealing more than $200K in parking scheme ▶ 0:58
Illegal side hustle: NRG Park employees accused of stealing more than $200K in parking scheme
Cy-Fair firefighters took shelter in garage as tornado hit Cypress home ▶ 1:02
Cy-Fair firefighters took shelter in garage as tornado hit Cypress home
Prepare for Tornadoes: Find Your Safe Spot at Home and Work ▶ 1:15
Prepare for Tornadoes: Find Your Safe Spot at Home and Work
Get Glass Skin This Thanksgiving: Foods That Boost Skin Health ▶ 1:12
Get Glass Skin This Thanksgiving: Foods That Boost Skin Health
The Latest: What is Houston expecting weather-wise for the rest of the night? ▶ 1:28
The Latest: What is Houston expecting weather-wise for the rest of the night?
Aftermath of the tornado in NW Harris County ▶ 0:19
Aftermath of the tornado in NW Harris County
Tracking the aftermath of a tornado in Houston ▶ 1:05
Tracking the aftermath of a tornado in Houston
Christmas tree sucked out of window after tornado strikes Harris County neighborhood ▶ 1:17
Christmas tree sucked out of window after tornado strikes Harris County neighborhood
'Somebody was watching': Woman says she is lucky home wasn't damaged worse after Spring tornado ▶ 0:58
'Somebody was watching': Woman says she is lucky home wasn't damaged worse after Spring tornado
HPD officer shot in road-rage incident on the way to work in NW Houston; 3 suspects arrested ▶ 1:45
HPD officer shot in road-rage incident on the way to work in NW Houston; 3 suspects arrested
Fire Department officials give latest information on tornado in Spring ▶ 1:27
Fire Department officials give latest information on tornado in Spring
Perfect Thanksgiving Weather in Houston ▶ 0:59
Perfect Thanksgiving Weather in Houston
Video of tornadic storm in NW Harris County ▶ 0:26
Video of tornadic storm in NW Harris County
Illegal water, power setup found at southwest Houston homeless encampment, police say ▶ 1:22
Illegal water, power setup found at southwest Houston homeless encampment, police say
Houston sets records for warm days in November! ▶ 1:03
Houston sets records for warm days in November!
Previous photo Next photo