Brent Ringo, Kerrville I.S.D. superintendent, recounted the events immediately after the July 4th flood, where Kerrville ISD bus drivers helped evacuate campers and staff from several local summer camps.
Shortly after the magnitude of the flood became apparent, several Kerrville school buildings were used as staging areas, temporary sleeping quarters and clothes washing facilities for many of the inital first responders to the area.
In the evening on July 5th, a call came in requesting help at Camp La Junta. The campers were all accounted for, but needed to be evacuated. An all call went out from KISD and numerous KISD bus drivers responded. They met at the bus barn, and followed in single file out towards Hunt to assist in the rescue. The magnitude of the damage became apparent as the drivers made their way to Camp La Junta.
The bridge leading to the camp was damaged and missing large chunks of asphalt, but still passable, and the busses safely got to the camp.
Rick Sralla, Tivy principal, was one of the drivers, and told the rescued campers on his bus that the destruction you will see on the drive back will be intense, but just appreciate how relieved your family will be to see you.
Bus driver Don Randall had been a truck driver and has witnessed the aftermath of numerous natural disasters, including tornados, hurricanes and fires, but said nothing prepared him for the destruction he saw along the river.
The drivers also assisted in evacuating campers from other camps, including Waldemar. The rewarding but dificult part was returning the campers to the reunification locations, and watching anxious parents looking for their kids.
As the community tried to heal, numerous stories of herosim and community support began to emerge. Nearly two months later, a military flyover at the first Tivy home football game was the highlight of the night. This was the first, and perhaps only military flyover at a high school football game.
Bus drivers honored at the Rotary Club meeting.
