The lawsuit alleges there was no coordinated notice or awareness effort by the campground.
KERR COUNTY, Texas — The family of a woman who died during the deadly July Fourth floods in Kerr County has filed a lawsuit against the HTR TX Hill Country Resort, alleging the campground failed to warn guests or provide an evacuation plan.
Jayda Floyd, a juvenile probation officer from Ector County in West Texas, was among several people who died when floodwaters swept through the RV park on the morning of Independence Day.
The lawsuit, filed Monday, claims the campground did not take appropriate steps to protect guests despite a known history of major flooding in the area.
“We believe that most of the businesses located along that area are aware of the flooding risks,” said Jon Clark, attorney with Glasheen, Valles & Inderman Injury Lawyers LLP, who is representing Floyd’s family.
Floyd was staying at the resort with her fiancé, Bailey Martin – a City of Odessa police officer – along with Martin’s two teenage children and his parents.
“As the floodwaters started to come up, they heard what they thought was some knocking at the door and went to see what was going on,” Clark said. “They found those to be floodwaters actually hitting the door to the RV.”
According to Clark, Floyd helped Martin’s teenage children escape to the roof of the RV, saving their lives. She was then swept away by the rising waters.
Her body was later recovered. Martin also died in the flooding.
Seventeen people reportedly died at the HTR TX Hill Country Resort during the July 4 floods, Clark said. The lawsuit alleges there was no coordinated evacuation effort or warning provided by campground staff.
“We expect that HTR, the investors who purchased it and the groups who ran it knew of the dangers of the flooding,” Clark said.
The family is seeking damages for mental anguish and the loss of their daughter, whom Clark described as a young woman with great promise.
“This was an awful tragedy and nobody is denying that,” Clark said. “But what are the expectations of businesses operating along there? What would a reasonable business do, knowing these potential dangers?”
Clark added that the goal of the lawsuit is to raise awareness and demand accountability, in hopes that future tragedies can be prevented.
KENS 5 reached out to HTR TX Hill Country Campgrounds for comment, but we have not yet received a response.