Kerr County flood survivors find hope amid devastation as recovery continues
KERR COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Six days after catastrophic flooding devastated Central Texas, cleanup crews make progress through debris-filled neighborhoods as survivors describe moments of terror and community resilience.
David Fry was on a family vacation July 4 when floodwaters began rising at the River Inn Resort, just upstream from Camp Mystic where 27 campers and counselors died. Fry raced through the resort, banging on doors to wake guests as water surged around them.
"Two minutes it took for us to get from the car to getting my son and my wife on top of that roof were the scariest moments of my life," Fry said.
When escape became impossible, Fry helped lift about 15 people onto a nearby building's roof for safety.
The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in 45 minutes after 5-11 inches of rain fell in a short period, reaching its second-highest level on record. The flooding killed at least 119 people across six Texas counties and left 172 missing statewide. Kerr County suffered the heaviest losses with 95 confirmed deaths and 161 people still unaccounted for, including five campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic.
Joe Garanzuay, who retired to the Riverfront Park neighborhood, said residents are traumatized but finding strength in community support. His home overlooks debris piles where recovery teams continue searching.
"We're Texans, so we take care of each other," Garanzuay said. "I think this thing strengthened our desire to stay here and be here. It kind of connected us."
No survivors have been found alive since Friday as search efforts increasingly shift toward recovery operations. Nearly 1,000 first responders and volunteers have arrived to assist with the massive undertaking.
President Donald Trump signed a federal disaster declaration and plans to visit Friday. Damage estimates range between $18 billion and $22 billion.
Fry said the community faces a long recovery ahead. "This community has been rocked and devastated. They're going to need our love and support for a long time to come."
Gov. Greg Abbott announced that emergency alert systems will be addressed during a special legislative session beginning July 21, as questions persist about whether adequate warnings reached residents before the historic flooding struck.