KERRVILLE, Texas — Emergency dispatch recordings from last summer's catastrophic flooding in Kerr County reveal a community in crisis as residents desperately sought help amid rising waters that claimed over 100 lives.
On July 4th, emergency dispatchers received more than 400 calls in a span of six hours as floods rapidly inundated the area. One woman from Camp Mystic pleaded, There is water everywhere, we cannot move. We are upstairs in a room and the water is rising. Tragically, 25 campers and two teenage counselors perished in the disaster, prompting scrutiny of local officials' preparedness.
The flooding led to the deaths of at least 136 people statewide, with victims ranging from ages 1 to 91, including individuals from neighboring states. Survivors have since expressed anger and bewilderment over the lack of warning prior to the deluge that overwhelmed them.
Many residents reported being caught off-guard, struggling for safety without adequate communication from officials. Local authorities faced criticism for their response, with some admitting they were not adequately prepared during the initial hours of the flooding.
The Associated Press has compiled a timeline of the chaotic rescue efforts using 911 call recordings and testimonies to shed light on the tragic events of that night.
