Kerrville Police Department will release full, unredacted 911 calls from the deadly Independence Day floods in Hill Country, following requests under the Freedom of Information Act from 8 media outlets. The decision, coordinated with the Texas Attorney General's Office, comes with a warning that the recordings contain disturbing content, according to Click2Houston.
The July 4 floods, caused by powerful storms, raised the Guadalupe River over 20 feet in 90 minutes, resulting in more than 130 deaths, including 27 at Camp Mystic. The disaster destroyed homes and buildings and led to days of searches for missing residents, leaving lasting trauma in the community. A surge of 911 calls began at 2:52 a.m., with 435 calls over six hours and 106 calls between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m., forcing responders to quickly disconnect to assist the next caller. The sheer volume of emergencies showed the intense pressure on first responders during the floods.
Kerrville Police Chief Chris McCall acknowledged the emotional toll on responders and the community, urging those affected to seek support: "As our community continues to recover, please make sure you’re taking care of yourself emotionally." He emphasized unity and resilience in the aftermath, saying, "Remember, Kerrville: We are stronger together," as reported by NBC News.
