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Waco officials detail storm response after weekend flooding; no fatalities reported
Summary
City Manager Ryan Holt credited coordinated emergency operations after severe storms that produced double the typical Sunday fire calls, 40 water rescues and dozens of flooded vehicles; recovery and damage assessments are underway and residents are asked to use the MyWaco app or QR code to report damage.
City Manager Ryan Holt told the Waco City Council on June 16 that the city’s emergency operations center activated during Sunday’s severe storm and coordinated a countywide response with police, fire, public works and state partners.
Holt said Waco Fire responded to 145 calls for service that Sunday—more than double the typical daily count of about 64—and handled 73 weather-related incidents. During the two-hour peak period he cited, police CAD showed about 93 calls with roughly 45 tied to high-water events. Teams completed about 40 water rescues, assisted with roughly 73 flooded vehicles and responded at six buildings or homes impacted by flooding, according to Holt.
Holt described mutual aid and partner involvement, saying Texas Division of Emergency Management crews and Texas Game Wardens assisted with boat crews and rescues. He said the Office of Emergency Management remained active until 2:00 a.m. during the emergency and that recovery operations, damage assessments and infrastructure evaluations are continuing.
“We had folks calling in literally from all over—mostly mid to west Waco—stuck in their cars or on roofs, and not a single loss of life at this point,” Holt said, thanking first responders, dispatchers, public works and regional partners for their efforts.
The manager asked residents with damage or roadway problems to use the MyWaco app or the QR code the city circulated to report issues so crews can prioritize repairs. Council members praised staff for the coordinated response and for public messaging through the city’s communications team.
No formal actions or additional resource requests were taken during the work session; Holt said the city will continue recovery operations and follow-up assessments in the coming days.
