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On The Cover: Enjoy The Last Days Of Summerand savor the little moments together.So, go ahead and plan that end-of- summer getaway to surprise your kids, family, or friends. These experiences can bring joy, laughter, and a stronger connection with your loved ones, ensuring that the memories from this summer willlast long into the new school year.TBy Lou Duggan Flood Reflects Missed Opportunities And Creates Heroes hree weeks have gone by since Some survivors said they woke up toy Sally KalosBAugust has arrived, signaling that a new school year is just around the corner. But don’t stress—there’s still plenty of time to enjoy one last summer hurrah! San Antonio, right in our own backyard, offers a wealth of water-filled adventures—from rivers and lakes to resort swimming pools and even the ocean, all just a short drive away. Whether you’re seeking adventure or relaxation, there’s somethingfor everyone.Summer is the perfect time to createlasting memories with family. As you gear up for the back-to-school rush, why not plan a special outing? It’s a wonderful opportunity to make those memories that everyone will look back on fondly.Consider exploring local natural parks, playing outdoor sports, or simply relaxing by the beach. Don’t forget to take photosthe flood on the Guadalupe River. water rushing through the windows. The Now, in retrospect, more details of Camp was devastated—many campersthis historic tragedy are becoming clear. The catastrophic flooding on July 4, 2025, was triggered by an extreme weather setup: 1. A low-level jet stream and upper-level disturbance funneled moisture into the Hill Country. 2. Remnants of Tropical Storm Barry added instability and enhanced rainfall. 3. The Hill Country’s steep terrain funneled water rapidly into rivers, accelerating flash flood conditions. 4. Rainfall rates reached 4 inches per hour, overwhelming the terrain. 5. Up to 26 feet of river rise in just 45 minutes in Kerrville, with 20+ inches of rain reported in nearby areas like Streeter and Bertram.As of July 16, the following data was compiled from state and federal sources: At least 132 confirmed deaths across six counties; 161 people unaccounted for statewide; more than 2,000 residents evacuated from Kerr, Travis, Burnet, and Williamson counties; an estimated 5,000+ people displaced across the Hill Country region and includes those whose homes were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable. The volume of rain that poured down is estimated to be more than 100 billion gallons, a staggering amount that surpasses the daily flow over Niagara Falls.Camp Mystic, a girls’ summer camp, had approximately 750 campers at the time. Floodwater rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes, catching campers asleep; 27 lives were lost.6were trapped or missing.Peak River Levels: Hunt, TX: 37.52 feet,a new record; Kerrville, TX: 34.29 feet, third highest on record; Comfort, TX: 35.26 feet, well above major flood stage.Why This Flood Stands OutThe speed at which water rose, 26 feet in 45 minutes, overwhelmed camps and homes. More than 36 children died. Up to 20.33 inches of rain fell in hours— equivalent to four months of rain. No sirens, limited cell coverage, and delayed alerts worsened the toll. This flood is recognized as one of the deadliest natural disasters in modern Texas history and the fastest river rise on record.Flood Timeline by Hour--July 2, Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) activated state resources in anticipation of flooding.--July 3, 1:18 PM, National Weather Service issued a flood watch for Kerr County, warning of 5–7 inches of rain.--July 4, 1:14 AM, NWS sent out its first “flash flood” warning for Kerr and Bandera counties to when the first flooding reports came in from low-lying water crossings. This gave local officials a 3-hour, 21-minute window to save lives in Kerr County. Executive Director Richard “Dick” Eastland received the “life-threatening flash flooding” alert. Despite the warning, evacuations didn’t begin until around 2:30 a.m. by which time the Guadalupe River and Cypress Creek were already surging. Eastland, 74, died while trying to evacuate a cabin which was overtaken by floodwaters. --3:26 AM., a firefighter warned a dispatcher that a road along the river was impassable, blocking off the city of Hunt from emergency responders coming from the east.--3:30 AM, Kerrville’s city manager was jogging near the river and saw no signs of flooding.--3:35 AM, NWS Warning upgraded: “Move to higher ground now”.--4:03 AM, two hours and 49 minutes after their initial flood warning, federal forecasters warned that the rain had created a flash flood emergency forsouth-central Kerr County. An alert sent to Bandera and Kerr counties stated “This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!” and “Move to higher ground now! This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.”--4:22 AM, a firefighter, about an hour into the flood response, asked a dispatcher if the CodeRED system could be activated for residents of Hunt. CodeRED is a web-based system that sends recorded messages and text alerts to residential and business phones, warning of a flood, fire, or any emergency where a fast notification could save lives. “Stand by, we have to get that approved with our supervisor,” the dispatcher responded.--4:35 AM, Kerr County Sheriff’s Office received first reports of flash flooding. --5:11 AM, First responders were carrying out rescue operations in the floodwaters, the CodeRED alert was not sent.--5:30 AM, Kerrville’s city manager woke Mayor Herring with a phone call and told him the downtown park was under water. --5:34 AM, Forecasters pushed out a second flash flood emergency alert, this time foreast central Kerr County, saying that “a large and deadly flood wave” was headed down the Guadalupe River. About the same time the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook a warning for “DANGEROUS FLOODING NOW.” In the same period, Kerr County also posted on its Facebook page that the river was flooding.--5:57 AM, US Coast Guard mobilized to assist with rescues.--6:00 AM, Mayor Herring got an alert on his phone from the CodeRED system indicating a flash flood alert or “something to that effect.” He said it was the only weather alert he got that morning.--7:00 AM, Evacuations began near the Guadalupe River in Hunt.--10:00 AM, Kerr County confirmed multiple fatalities and urged residents to shelter in place.--By 1 PM, Officials reported dozens of water rescues and declared it the worst flood on record.In summary, CBS News reported “Although there were no alerts sent by local government officials in Kerr County or neighboring Bandera County, CBS News analysis reported there were 22 warnings sent by the National Weather Service forFlood - continued on page 10 August 2025Last Dock Day Of The Summer!We Offer:• Daycare • Overnight Boarding • Herding• Grooming • Cattery • Beach Club• Dock Diving • Pet Bakery• Award Winning TrainingAugust 23 Don’t Miss It!830-980-8476 31305 Oakview Rd.,Bulverde, TX 78163www.stoneoakhighlights.com