911 calls document the minute-by-minute urgency of deadly Texas floods as callers plead for help

EDITORS NOTE: This article includes descriptions of 911 calls that may be distressing to some readers. Listener discretion is advised.

During the early hours of July 4, catastrophic flooding tore through Texas Hill Country, sending desperate pleas for help into the Kerrville Police Departments 911 center. The recordings, released by the department on Friday, trace the unfolding disaster minute by minute, capturing the rising fear of residents trapped as waters surged through homes and cabins.

The earliest calls conveyed a quiet, uneasy awareness of danger. Residents spoke calmly at first, sensing the encroaching waters but not fully grasping the magnitude of the approaching flood. At 2:52 a.m. CT, Scott Towery, general manager of River Inn Resort, alerted dispatchers that over 100 guests were at risk as waters rose rapidly. Moments later, he followed up with heightened urgency, comparing the flood to one of the areas worst in history.

As the night progressed, the tone shifted from caution to panic. Dispatchers struggled to remain composed as frantic callers begged to be rescued, often trapped in rooms where water was rising around them. One caller explained, We cannot move. We are right upstairs and the water is coming in.

The flood claimed 136 lives across the region, including young campers. In just 45 minutes, sections of the Guadalupe River rose from roughly 3 feet to nearly 30 feet. Only two dispatchers were on duty at the Kerrville center when calls began pouring in, quickly overwhelming the staff. Over six hours, they handled 435 calls, with more than 100 received between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Childrens camps became focal points of the tragedy. At Camp Mystic, an all-girls camp, cabins flooded and campers were swept away, resulting in 25 girls and two counselors losing their lives. Initial calls from the camp conveyed a mix of calm observation and frantic distress as floodwaters encroached. Camp La Junta, a boys camp along the South Fork of the Guadalupe River, experienced similar terror, with callers describing children trapped in cabins that were beginning to collapse.

Many families affected have since filed lawsuits against Camp Mystic and its owners. Attorneys stated that releasing the 911 calls may help clarify the events, although it may also intensify grief for the families who lost their children. Community members and officials have emphasized support for those struggling to cope with the trauma.

Kerrville Police Chief Chris McCall praised the dispatchers for their dedication under extreme conditions, acknowledging the emotional toll on both responders and callers. The city encouraged residents to seek support if affected by the floods.

In response to criticism of emergency preparedness, Texas lawmakers passed new camp safety legislation in September to improve disaster response and safety protocols. Camp Mystics owners have pledged to exceed these requirements when the camp partially reopens next summer.

A candlelight vigil was held on July 7, 2025, in San Antonio to honor the victims of the Hill Country floods.

Author: Zoe Harrison