KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) — In a harrowing recount of the catastrophic floods that swept through Texas last summer, recordings of frantic 911 calls have been released, painting a grim portrait of desperation as residents fought for survival. Over 400 calls flooded emergency dispatchers in rural Kerr County as the July Fourth deluge rapidly engulfed the region.
“There is water everywhere, we cannot move. We are upstairs in a room and the water is rising,” recounted one woman calling from Camp Mystic, a historic summer camp for girls where 25 campers and counselors tragically lost their lives. She questioned the dispatcher, “If the water will be higher than the room, what should we do?”
In a subsequent call, her plea intensified. “How do we get to the roof if the water is so high? Can you already send someone here? With the boats?” Unfortunately, the dispatcher could only reply, “I don’t know. I don’t know.”
The disaster left at least 136 dead across Texas, with victims aged from just 1 to 91 years. Many who perished hailed from Texas, while others came from far-flung states including Alabama and California.
The flood caught many residents off guard, with some highlighting a lack of warning as the waters rose suddenly and furiously. Kerr County leaders have faced criticism for their response, particularly as three officials disclosed they were either asleep or out of town during the crucial initial hours.
Recordings of 911 calls also captured calls from families in cabins, seeking help as the floodwaters closed in. “We are flooding, and we have people in cabins we can’t get to,” one woman communicated with urgency, her concern echoing with faint voices of children in distress.
To piece together the chaotic events of that night, the Associated Press compiled a detailed timeline of the rescue efforts, utilizing recordings of first responders, weather service warnings, survivor testimonies, and more.
