A county sheriff in 2016 recalled how he pulled “kids out of trees” in summer camps as leaders debated a siren system for years.

The death toll now stands at 70 in the wake of torrential rains and the resulting flooding in Texas. By far the greatest number of fatalities occurred in Kerr County, where 59 people are believed to be dead, according to officials, including 21 children.

KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) — Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha says that 11 campers are still missing after powerful floods inundated central Texas. Dozens of people have been killed since raging floodwaters slammed a portion of central Texas starting Friday.