KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) — Residents in Texas affected by last summer's catastrophic flooding made desperate pleas for water rescues as emergency operators fielded over 400 calls during the chaos on the July Fourth holiday. Recordings released reveal how many felt abandoned and confused as they struggled to escape rushing waters.
In one of the heart-wrenching calls, a woman from Camp Mystic, a century-old summer camp for girls, reported a rapidly rising water level. There is water everywhere, we cannot move. We are upstairs in a room and the water is rising, she urged. Tragically, 25 campers and two teenage counselors lost their lives in the floods despite efforts to call for help.
As the floods wreaked havoc, residents voiced their frustration over limited response from local authorities. How do we get to the roof if the water is so high? another camper asked, emphasizing the urgency of their situation. Across Texas, the flooding resulted in over 136 fatalities, with victims spanning a wide age range.
Survivors have criticized local officials for their lack of preparedness and inadequate warning systems, as many claim they were taken by surprise when the floods struck. In response to public outcry, Kerr County leaders have faced scrutiny over their management of the disaster, with some admitting they were unprepared during the critical early hours of the incident.
The Associated Press has compiled these 911 calls and additional sources, including official testimonies and survivor accounts, to highlight the tragic circumstances and chaotic rescue efforts during the floods in Texas.
