A Tragic Legacy: The Story of Dick Eastland and the Guadalupe River
The story of Dick Eastland is one of dedication, warning, and ultimately, tragedy. As the owner and executive director of Camp Mystic, a beloved youth camp in central Texas, Eastland spent decades advocating for flood safety along the Guadalupe River. His warnings about the river’s dangers were ignored for years, leading to devastating consequences that cost lives—including his own.
Eastland was not just a leader at Camp Mystic; he was a community figure who understood the risks posed by the river. He had seen floods destroy the camp multiple times and even witnessed his pregnant wife being airlifted to a hospital during a severe flood. In 1987, after 10 children from a nearby camp were swept away by floodwaters, Eastland pushed for a new flood warning system. His efforts led to the installation of 21 gauges along the Guadalupe River, a system that was once considered state-of-the-art.
However, the system eventually became outdated and unreliable. By 1999, it was shut down due to technical failures and concerns over false alerts. Despite repeated attempts to update the system, including proposals for modern flood-monitoring technology and warning sirens, these efforts were stalled by budget constraints, local opposition, and a lack of state support.
A History of Flooding at Camp Mystic
Camp Mystic has a long history with flooding. Just a few years after its establishment in 1926, floodwaters swept away several cabins, forcing campers to evacuate by canoe. In 1978, the camp was described as the most severely damaged of local summer camps affected by a flood that year. Five counselors had their cars swept into the Guadalupe River. In 1985, Eastland’s wife, Tweety, was airlifted from the camp due to rising waters.
The 1987 flood, which claimed the lives of 10 children at a different camp, was a turning point. Eastland, then on the board of the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, advocated for a more advanced warning system. He envisioned a computer-powered system that would automatically alert people if water levels rose beyond safe limits. While the system was eventually implemented, it failed to prevent future disasters.
The Missed Opportunities
Despite the installation of the early warning system, it was not enough. Over time, the system became obsolete, and no meaningful upgrades were made. In 1998, the company that maintained the system closed without notice, leaving the gauges in disrepair. By 1999, the river authority shut it down entirely, citing reliability issues and liability concerns.
At the same time, Camp Mystic continued to expand, building new cabins farther south along the Guadalupe River. Some of these structures were located in areas identified as high-risk flood zones by the federal government. Federal flood maps showed that several of the older cabins were situated within the river’s “regulatory floodways”—the most dangerous areas during heavy rainfall.
Experts argue that Camp Mystic had a window of opportunity to address these risks. When the camp built new cabins, officials should have reviewed FEMA flood maps and taken action to relocate or modify the existing structures. Instead, they allowed the risk to persist, putting campers in harm’s way.
A Community in Grief
Dick Eastland’s death last week during the catastrophic flooding at Camp Mystic has left the community in shock. He was found trying to rescue his young campers when the river overwhelmed the camp. His grandson, George Eastland, paid tribute to him on Instagram, calling him a hero who gave his life to save others.
Former campers and colleagues remember Eastland as a kind and dedicated leader. April Ancira, who spent summers at Camp Mystic from age 8 to 14, recalls how he helped her catch a big fish and celebrated her success. Austin Dickson, a former board member of the river authority, described Eastland as a “pillar” of the community who championed efforts to create a new park along the river.
Lessons for the Future
The tragedy at Camp Mystic has raised difficult questions about flood preparedness and accountability. While Eastland was a vocal advocate for safety, the failure to maintain and upgrade the flood warning system left the community vulnerable. The lack of progress on a modern warning system, despite repeated attempts, highlights the challenges of securing funding and political support for such projects.
Experts like Anna Serra-Llobet, a UC Berkeley researcher, emphasize the need to move past the blame game and focus on lessons learned. She argues that communities must take proactive steps to protect people from natural disasters, even when those risks are well-known.
In the wake of the disaster, the river authority has resumed efforts to develop a new flood monitoring system. A centralized dashboard for rainfall, river depth, and other data sources is being planned, but the project has been delayed due to the recent flooding.
A Lasting Impact
Despite the tragedy, Dick Eastland’s legacy will not be forgotten. His life was dedicated to protecting others, and his final act of bravery has left a deep impression on those who knew him. As the community mourns, there is a growing call for change—both in flood preparedness and in the way communities respond to natural disasters.
For now, the focus remains on recovery and remembrance. But the lessons from this tragedy will shape the future of flood safety in the region. As the Guadalupe River continues to flow, so too will the memory of a man who tried to protect others from its deadly power.
