Using Fredericksburg as a proxy for the region, the average July rainfall over the last about 40 years is 2.2 inches. But most of the time, July seems to be closer to either extreme, whether it’s less than an inch or more than four.

Dispatch audio has surfaced from the critical hours before a deadly flood hit its height in Kerr County, helping piece together the timeframe local officials have yet to provide amid public scrutiny of their decisions on July 4.

Thirteen people are dead and more than 20 people unaccounted for after heavy rain lashed Texas, leading to "catastrophic" flooding. Children are among the dead, and about 23 campers from a summer camp in the area, Camp Mystic, are unaccounted for, said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who has taken on the duties of acting governor.

Roads disappeared under rushing water. Homes and businesses were submerged as the Fourth of July weekend turned into a rescue mission.

Federal forecasters issued their first flood warning at 1:14 a.m. on July 4. Local officials haven’t shed light on when they saw the warnings or whether they saw them in time to take action.

Federal forecasters issued their first flood warning at 1:14 a.m. on July 4. Local officials haven’t shed light on when they saw the warnings or whether they saw them in time to take action.

What were Kerr County Officials doing to prepare for the possible flooding ahead of July Fourth? That's the question on many minds in the wake of the recent tragedy.

Jeffrey Beri, the founder of animal rescue organisation No Dogs Left Behind, is on the ground with 10 of his trained dogs, some of whom he says specialise in explosive detection, to help the rescue effort. He says he was looking for a mother and father who were reported to have washed away in Hunt, Kerr County.