A Travis County judge is weighing whether to keep Camp Mystic closed as the family of 8-year-old Cile Steward seeks a temporary injunction to preserve evidence for their lawsuit. The all-girls camp, where 25 campers and two counselors died in catastrophic floods last year, faces legal pressure to halt reopening plans and construction while the case proceeds.

The 2024 floods killed at least 136 people when the river rose from 14 to 29.5 feet in just 60 minutes, overwhelming the camp established in 1926. The Steward family argues that any changes to the site could destroy crucial evidence needed to determine how the disaster unfolded. Camp Mystic's attorneys maintain they had no practical way to evacuate the children safely as waters rose rapidly.

During Wednesday's hearing, attorneys for the camp displayed architectural plans to rebuild outside the 1,000-year flood zone and trees planted in memory of the victims. The camp's decision to partially reopen and construct a memorial last year sparked outrage from families who said they weren't consulted. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has asked Texas regulators not to renew the camp's license while investigations continue, with legislative probes expected this spring.