As early as July 2, officials at the Texas Division of Emergency Management, or TDEM, were publishing news releases warning that “heavy rainfall with the potential to cause flash flooding is anticipated across West Texas and the Hill Country” and readying resources, such as swift-water rescue boat squads.

Kerr County has reported 28 adults and 15 children deceased, Travis County has counted four deaths, Kendall and Tom Green counties have confirmed one each, and the Burnet County Emergency Management coordinator said in a statement that two fatalities have been confirmed Saturday.

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.