parks
Dads of Camp Mystic victims still pushing for safety laws 1 year after deadly Texas floods
By CBS Texas at CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW
· July 2, 2026
· 4 min read
The fathers of a camper and a counselor who were killed during last year's deadly floods at Camp Mystic in Texas said they'll keep advocating for improved summer camp safety to help prevent other families from experiencing a similar tragedy. Saturday, July 4, marks one year since the catastrophic...
Key takeaway Matthew Childress' 18-year-old daughter, Chloe, and Ryan DeWitt's 9-year-old daughter, Molly, were in the same cabin when they died in the floods.
Why this matters in Southlake News
The tragedy at Camp Mystic serves as a stark reminder for communities like Southlake to reexamine their own emergency preparedness and warning systems. While the camp's lack of planning and evacuation procedures were major factors in the devastating loss of life, the absence of outdoor warning sirens in the affected area also played a significant role. Southlake residents should be aware of the emergency alert systems in place in their own community and whether they are sufficient to respond to severe weather events. The push for improved summer camp safety laws has far-reaching implications, and local families who send their children to camps in the area should be paying close attention to the developments. As the fathers of the victims continue to advocate for change, Southlake can learn from the mistakes of the past and work towards creating a safer environment for its own residents, particularly children who attend summer camps in the area.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW . Southlake News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The fathers of a camper and a counselor who were killed during last year's deadly floods at Camp Mystic in Texas said they'll keep advocating for improved summer camp safety to help prevent other families from experiencing a similar tragedy. Saturday, July 4, marks one year since the catastrophic...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW and curated for Southlake News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CBS Texas at CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW. To learn more about how Southlake News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from Southlake News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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