Texas Flooding: Timeline of Events Before, During, and After

For many families, the most serious warnings about the deadly and raging torrent in Texas Hill Country last week came too late. Many were asleep. Others, in a region long accustomed to extreme weather, were kept up by heavy bursts of rain and earsplitting cracks of thunder that shook buildings.

Caroline Cutrona, a counselor at Camp Mystic, recalled, \"I thought it was just lightning and thunderstorm. I had no idea of the severity.\" State emergency management officials had activated emergency response resources as early as Wednesday evening, warning of potential flooding heading into the July Fourth holiday weekend. The alerts would grow more dire.

Torrential rains transformed the pristine Guadalupe River, claiming at least 129 lives in Texas. At least 150 people are still missing statewide. More than a summer’s worth of rain had fallen in the area overnight into the holiday, causing catastrophic deluge.

Here’s what we know about how a nightmare scenario unfolded in Texas:

Wednesday, July 2

6:29 p.m. CT: Texas Division of Emergency Management announces activation of state emergency response resources.

Thursday, July 3

6:36 a.m. CT: National Weather Service issues short-term guidance indicating flooding rainfall potential.

10 a.m. CT: County judges and city mayors discuss weather forecasts.

1:18 p.m. CT: NWS issues a flood watch for Kerrville.

6:30 p.m. CT: NWS issues updated forecast for the Guadalupe River.

Friday, July 4

1:14 a.m. CT: NWS issues a flash flood warning for parts of Kerr County.

2:30 a.m. CT: Lorena Guillen observes river height and calls the Sheriff’s Office.

3 a.m. CT: Evacuation at Camp Mystic’s Bug House cabin.

3:27 a.m. CT: Local firefighter reports high water levels.

3:30 a.m. CT: First responders swept away by floodwaters.

4:03 a.m. CT: NWS issues a flash flood emergency warning for Kerr County.

5 a.m. CT: Raging river bursts from its banks, triggering second-highest crest on record.

5:03 a.m. CT: Kerr Fire dispatch reports car floating down the river.

5:30 a.m. CT: Wireless emergency message sent to residents in Kendall County.

6:31 a.m. CT: Kerr County social media post warns of flooding.

8:30 a.m. CT: Kerr County Sheriff’s Office confirms deaths due to flooding.

10:04 a.m. CT: CodeRED Alert sent to some residents.

11:59 a.m. CT: Kerr County officials declare a disaster due to extreme flooding.

6:30 p.m. CT: US Coast Guard begins rescue efforts.

According to the source: CNN.