Advice About the Ability to Sue Kerr County After the Texas Floods from a Civil Rights Attorney
💔 A Personal Introduction
I’ve been following the tragedy unfolding in our Texas Hill Country with a heavy heart. For my family and me, it hits incredibly close to home—more so than other devastating events in our world right now, whether in Gaza or the frontlines of immigration injustice. Our retreats to New Braunfels and Wimberley, and some of my most cherished childhood memories—like chasing fireflies at dusk in Leakey, TX along a quiet riverbank—remind me just how magical this place has always been.
My wife and I both know people who have lost loved ones. And when I see the faces of those children at Camp Mystic, it’s impossible not to see my own kids reflected there. It’s absolutely soul‑crushing to imagine the grief those families are shouldering now.
I also can’t stop asking: could this have been prevented? As the news keeps pouring in, it’s becoming increasingly clear that it might have been.
While my heart and prayers go out to every family suffering loss, the attorney in me can’t stop thinking about advice for the families suffering. I feel a responsibility to help guide those seeking answers, accountability—and ways to prevent this from ever happening again.
🚨 Kerr County Lawsuit After Flash Flood Tragedy
From July 4–7, 2025, catastrophic flash floods ravaged the Guadalupe River watershed—turning a tranquil retreat into one of the deadliest flood events in Texas history. It killed over 100 people and leaving families searching for answers. Among the hardest-hit areas was Kerr County, where 27 children drowned at Camp Mystic after a wall of water surged down the Guadalupe River overnight.
What’s shocking? Kerr County officials had discussed upgrading their flood warning systemin a region known as “Flash Flood Alley” for nearly a decade—but never installed sirens, sensors, or automatic alerts. The system was designed, but county leaders said the $1 million cost was too high. Instead, they stuck with an outdated "call-around" phone tree that couldn’t keep up with fast-moving danger. Nearby counties had installed sirens and saw fewer or no deaths. Meanwhile, official alerts like Wireless Emergency Alerts didn’t reach residents until much later in the disaster
🧾 Could Kerr County Be Sued for Wrongful Death?
As a civil rights, wrongful death, and serious injury attorney with a record of holding government actors accountable, I believe families may have legal grounds to sue Kerr County. Here's why:
✅ Negligence and Failure to Act
County officials knew the risk—engineers warned them. They had years to act. Choosing not to install a modern siren and sensor system may be seen as gross negligence or even deliberate indifference, especially since the danger was well documented.
⚖️ Wrongful Death Lawsuits
If a warning system could have saved lives—or if better emergency planning would have reduced the death toll—then the county may be liable. Survivors may be entitled to damages for the loss of a loved one, emotional distress, and more.
🏛️ Federal Civil Rights Claims
Because government inaction led to loss of life, there may be grounds for civil rights claims under the due‑process clause, which can override sovereign immunity.
🧒 Camp Mystic and Private Liability: Love, Risk, and the Responsibility to Protect
Camp Mystic is a sacred place to so many—a treasured summer tradition nestled along the Guadalupe River. For generations, it’s been a source of joy, growth, and lifelong memories. The kind of place where friendships are formed under starlit skies, songs echo across cabins, and childhood feels timeless.
That’s why this tragedy cuts so deeply. Many of us hold fierce love and nostalgia for the camp, and it’s devastating to imagine that same place becoming the site of such profound loss.
Still, love and accountability aren’t mutually exclusive.
Recent reporting suggests Camp Mystic may have taken actions that downplayed flood risks—including requesting that FEMA remove flood designations from parts of the camp, despite expert warnings about danger. Camp leadership also reportedly confiscated phones from campers, which meant children and counselors couldn’t receive emergency alerts during the most critical moments—at a time when flash flood warnings were already circulating.
Families of victims at Camp Mystic may have legal claims—not out of anger, but out of care, protection, and the pursuit of truth. Camps have a legal duty to assess known dangers and act responsibly. That includes:
Premises liability for placing campers in flood-prone areas
Failure to evacuate in a timely or effective way
Poor planning or outdated emergency protocols
Unsafe infrastructure in known high-risk zones
Lawsuits, while difficult, can open the door to memorials, reforms, and safety standards that honor those we’ve lost and protect future generations.
None of this diminishes what the camp meant to you. Wanting accountability doesn’t erase the memories or the love—it honors them. It says the lives of those children mattered, and that we carry forward both their light and our duty to keep others safe.
These are painful questions. But you don’t have to carry them alone. I’m here to walk with you—with compassion, and with clarity—whenever you’re ready.
🏛️ Why You Need a Lawyer Admitted in the Western District of Texas
Lawsuits filed against Kerr County or Camp Mystic will likely go to federal court in the Western District of Texas, which has jurisdiction over the area. Not all lawyers can file there.
I am admitted to the Western District of Texas, with substantial experience in civil rights and wrongful death litigation against government entities. That means I can act quickly and guide your case through the proper federal channels without delay or red tape.
💼 Should You Contact a Civil Rights attorney like Drew Willey?
I’ve built my career fighting for families harmed by government failures—suing counties, jails, and public agencies for civil rights violations, wrongful death, serious injuries, and systemic neglect. I’ve secured millions in justice for families who were told nothing could be done.
Civil Rights Experience: From jail death cases to due process violations, we know how to hold counties accountable.
Serious Litigation Skills: We’ve taken on high-stakes, high-complexity cases and delivered results.
Compassionate Advocacy: We understand the grief and hopelessness families carry and the power of prayer and action to restore that hope—we fight relentlessly for truth and accountability.
📞 If You Lost a Loved One in Kerr County…
You shouldn’t have to wonder if someone will stand up for you. You deserve answers, closure, and the chance to ensure this never happens again.
Contact me—Drew Willey—for a free, confidential consultation. Let’s talk about your rights, your losses, and what next steps make sense. You can call me directly at 713-739-9455 today, or send us a message on our contact page.