Timeline of the Devastating Floods in Texas

The scene in Kerrville, Texas, was desperate on Saturday as a man surveyed the aftermath of a flash flood that surged through the Guadalupe River.

As Texas Hill Country was struck early Friday morning by torrential rains, the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in under an hour, reported state authorities.

Tragically, at least 14 children and 18 adults lost their lives due to the flooding, as announced during a Saturday press conference. Search efforts were ongoing for 27 young girls from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp, who were unaccounted for, alongside other missing persons. Over 850 individuals have been saved, including more than 100 who were airlifted to safety.

When questioned on Friday about the lack of evacuation at local summer camps, Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly was at a loss for an explanation.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management warned of potential flooding threats earlier in the week, deploying state emergency resources and equipment in anticipation of significant rainfall as predicted by some weather models.

"Everyone received forecasts from the National Weather Service," said Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, "but none anticipated the volume of rainfall we experienced."

Congressman Chip Roy of Texas, present during the July 4th festivities, urged the public to prioritize rescue operations over blame and retrospective critiques. "Let's focus on finding survivors now, and assess any necessary changes in strategy later," he recommended.

Homeland Security's Kristi Noem acknowledged the unpredictability of weather patterns over the years and vowed to relay community concerns to the federal government, emphasizing President Trump's efforts to enhance neglected meteorological technologies.

Amid questions regarding possible federal agency budget cuts affecting accurate weather warnings, NPR assembled a chronological record of alerts and events shared on social media by various government bodies and officials.

Precautionary Steps and Weather Warnings

At 4:41 p.m., the National Weather Service in Austin/San Antonio broadcasted imminent severe weather, cautioning the Hill Country about developing heavy showers.

By 9:47 a.m., the Texas Division of Emergency Management disseminated bilingual advice on responding to floods, advising vigilance due to the ongoing holiday weekend and flood threats.

Area officials, informed by TDEM's Region 6 Assistance Chief, were told of possible flooding, although exact locations remained unclear.

A flood watch was subsequently issued at 3:35 p.m. by the National Weather Service, explicitly stating that pockets of heavy rain could lead to flooding.

Around midnight, escalating weather conditions warranted an upgraded flood warning.

Facing the Onset of the Flood

Kerrville's City Manager Dalton Rice, who witnessed calm conditions earlier in the morning, recounted how the rain began suddenly with the river showing little change until 4 a.m.

By 4:06 a.m., the National Weather Service characterized the event as a severe flash flooding situation, urging immediate precautions with their "Turn Around, Don't Drown" campaign.

Emergency messages surfaced around 5:15 a.m., highlighting the catastrophic threat posed by the rising waters, as the Guadalupe River rapidly ascended between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., engulfing homes and infrastructures.

City manager Rice explained that despite installed alarms along parts of the river, the decision to evacuate is complex, balancing the risks of on-road chaos against in-place sheltering strategies.

Continued Rescue Efforts

Local authorities initially utilized Facebook to warn residents about the life-threatening conditions near the Guadalupe River, prompting necessary evacuations to higher ground at around 6 a.m.

By 7 a.m., Kerrville officials cautioned citizens regarding potential disruptions to Fourth of July events due to weather, emphasizing road safety and flood dangers.

Texas Emergency Management deployed pre-positioned boats and equipment promptly as emergency calls began flooding in. Teams, consisting of helicopters, rescue units, and swimmers, were actively engaging in life-saving operations.

As day broke on Saturday, ground operations intensified, concentrating efforts southwest of Camp Mystic to navigate treacherous terrains and gather critical information.

A combined force of over 1,000 personnel from various levels of government collaborated in the search and rescue mission.

During a Saturday briefing, Governor Greg Abbott reflected on the profound sense of community and faith, mentioning that prayer had become a cornerstone in facing this natural calamity.