AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The security guard at Camp Mystic acknowledged in court that an early evacuation order might have saved lives during last year’s deadly flood. Glenn Juenke, who assisted in relocating some girls to a safer building, later found himself trapped while trying to help others avoid the rising waters. His testimony came at the conclusion of a hearing concerning the camp's reopening plans after the tragic events of July 4th, when floodwaters from the Guadalupe River swept through the camp, resulting in the deaths of 27 individuals, including 25 campers and two counselors.
Juenke, who testified on behalf of the camp operators, recalled how he made a split-second decision allowing a group of campers to flee to higher ground. He indicated that he was not directed by camp directors or officials but acted on instinct. We did everything we could do in the time that we had, he stated in defense of the camp staff.
Despite his efforts, the testimony illustrated a significant lack of preparedness for such emergencies; Juenke admitted that there was no specific training or evacuation plan in place, and the camp’s emergency protocols were under scrutiny. Families of the deceased have expressed outrage over the camp’s plans to reopen and are demanding accountability, arguing that more proactive measures could have mitigated the disaster.
The hearing provided a detailed account of the flood event, highlighting missteps in the camp’s response, including the absence of clear orders for evacuation. This has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of the camp's safety procedures. In the aftermath of the flood, both state health regulators and families of the victims are continuing to investigate and pursue legal actions regarding the camp's operational practices.
As tensions remain high, Juenke's memories of the harrowing night exemplify the critical need for comprehensive emergency protocols at facilities housing vulnerable populations, emphasizing the importance of timely communication in life-threatening situations.
Juenke, who testified on behalf of the camp operators, recalled how he made a split-second decision allowing a group of campers to flee to higher ground. He indicated that he was not directed by camp directors or officials but acted on instinct. We did everything we could do in the time that we had, he stated in defense of the camp staff.
Despite his efforts, the testimony illustrated a significant lack of preparedness for such emergencies; Juenke admitted that there was no specific training or evacuation plan in place, and the camp’s emergency protocols were under scrutiny. Families of the deceased have expressed outrage over the camp’s plans to reopen and are demanding accountability, arguing that more proactive measures could have mitigated the disaster.
The hearing provided a detailed account of the flood event, highlighting missteps in the camp’s response, including the absence of clear orders for evacuation. This has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of the camp's safety procedures. In the aftermath of the flood, both state health regulators and families of the victims are continuing to investigate and pursue legal actions regarding the camp's operational practices.
As tensions remain high, Juenke's memories of the harrowing night exemplify the critical need for comprehensive emergency protocols at facilities housing vulnerable populations, emphasizing the importance of timely communication in life-threatening situations.
