Judge blocks repairs to Camp Mystic, where 27 girls died in flood

Why it matters: The 3-day hearing, which included emotional testimony by members of the family that runs the camp and a night security guard who rescued girls, provided the most insight into the catastrophe the public has gotten since the flood more than nine months ago.

The big picture: The parents of 8-year-old Cile Steward, whose body has not been found, sued the camp's owners for negligence, one of several lawsuits filed against the camp.

Catch up quick: At the request of the Steward family, who wants the Guadalupe River site to be preserved for evidence, Travis County state District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble last month temporarily blocked Camp Mystic from renovating or altering it.

• The Eastland family, which has long operated the camp, wants to reopen another site that is roughly 2 miles from the Guadalupe site, saying 850 families have enrolled for this summer.

What they're saying: Edward Eastland, the son of camp director Dick Eastland, who died during the flooding, testified Tuesday that he slept through a flash flood warning that came in at 1:14am, per the New York Times.

• "I think it should have been a more urgent alert," he said. "I think it should have been one of those government alerts that sounds like an Amber Alert."

The latest: Questioning on Wednesday centered on whether the camp had a written evacuation plan and whether camp leaders did enough to get the girls to safety.

• "The wall of water nearly knocked me over and it was about, I mean it was a very, very significant flow and had a lot of pressure," night watchman Glenn Juenke said.
• "We did everything we could do in the time that we had," he added.

Between the lines: State regulators have said they are investigating complaints alleging violations by the camp last summer, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is opposing the reopening.

What's next: Guerra Gamble on Wednesday moved up the date of the trial to June 2027, according to the Kerr County Lead.

• A hearing in an appeals court on the temporary injunction is scheduled for Monday in Austin.

Editor's note: This story has been updated throughout with new information.