Texas Police Break Silence: Survivor’s First Words “It’s Time” and Smartwatch Footage Prompt Urgent Announcement

On July 15, 2025, a miracle unfolded in the heart of Central Texas’ flood-ravaged Kerr County, where 12-year-old Sarah, the sole known survivor of Camp Mystic’s 27 missing girls, spoke her first words after her rescue: “It’s time.” These cryptic words, coupled with chilling footage from her smartwatch, prompted Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha to issue an urgent announcement, reigniting search efforts in a tragedy that has claimed at least 120 lives. The announcement, broadcast across Texas, has left investigators and families grappling with new hope and haunting questions in the wake of the catastrophic July 4 floods.

The Guadalupe River, swollen by 10 inches of rain in hours, surged 26 feet in just 45 minutes, transforming the serene banks of Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp in Hunt, Texas, into a scene of devastation. The camp, hosting 750 girls, was obliterated as cabins were swept away in the predawn deluge. Sarah, found clinging to a cypress tree near Kerrville days earlier, became a beacon of hope in a community mourning 75 local deaths, including 15 children. Her smartwatch, equipped with a camera, captured the flood’s chaotic onset, and her first words upon rescue—“It’s time”—have sent shockwaves through the investigation.

Sarah’s smartwatch footage, recovered after her dramatic rescue, offers a harrowing glimpse into the disaster. At 1:30 a.m. on July 4, the video shows water crashing through her cabin’s windows, with girls screaming as they tried to flee. The footage reveals a startling pattern: the 27 missing girls, including Sarah’s cabinmates, were swept downstream in clusters, clinging to debris like mattresses and wooden planks. The video ends with Sarah gripping the tree, alone in the darkness. “It’s a roadmap,” Sheriff Leitha said during a press conference, explaining that the footage has redirected search efforts to a 10-mile stretch downstream where the river’s currents were strongest.

The words “It’s time,” whispered by Sarah as she was airlifted to safety, have added a layer of mystery. Rescuers, including Coast Guard swimmer Scott Ruskan, who saved 165 campers, noted Sarah’s dazed state but were struck by her clarity. “She looked at us with this intense focus and said, ‘It’s time,’” Ruskan recalled. “We didn’t know what it meant, but it felt urgent.” The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office interpreted the statement as a potential clue, possibly indicating a specific location or event tied to the missing girls. Leitha’s announcement, issued hours later, urged search teams to intensify efforts along the Guadalupe River, stating, “It’s time to bring these girls home.” The phrase has sparked speculation: Was Sarah referring to a planned meeting point, a signal, or something more enigmatic?

The floods, described as the worst in Kerr County’s history, have left a trail of destruction. The National Weather Service reported that river gauges failed after recording a 29.5-foot crest, underscoring the event’s unprecedented scale. Rescue operations, involving 1,700 personnel, 167 helicopters, and drones, have been relentless, with 850 people rescued so far. Governor Greg Abbott, who expanded the state’s disaster declaration, visited Kerrville to emphasize, “Every clue counts in this fight.” The smartwatch footage, now analyzed by Texas Rangers and FBI experts, is being cross-referenced with river flow models and topographic data to pinpoint where the missing girls may have been carried. The pattern of girls moving in groups suggests they may have stayed together, increasing the faint hope of finding survivors.

Sarah’s words have galvanized the community. At Ingram Elementary, transformed into a reunification center, families of the missing girls gathered, clinging to her statement as a sign of hope. “It’s time’ means they’re out there, waiting,” said Lisa Martinez, a volunteer coordinator. The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, bolstered by donations, is supporting displaced families, while Arcadia Live hosts emotional reunions. Prayer vigils at local churches, lit by candles for the missing, have drawn hundreds, with the hashtag #FindOurGirls trending on social media. Families share photos of their daughters, detailing their smiles and dreams, hoping Sarah’s words signal more miracles.

The investigation has taken on new urgency. The smartwatch footage shows debris patterns, suggesting the girls were funneled into river bends near Comfort and Center Point. K-9 units and drones with infrared technology are scouring these areas, while volunteers, including local ranchers and church groups, brave treacherous terrain. The community’s resilience shines through, with businesses like The Hunt Store, despite being nearly gutted, distributing food to responders. Owner Haley Lehrmann, standing amid crates of supplies, said, “We’re still here, and we’re fighting for those girls.”

Sarah’s survival, and her cryptic words, have prompted soul-searching in Kerrville. Camp Mystic’s emergency plan, approved just two days before the flood, failed to withstand the deluge’s speed. Experts are reviewing camp safety protocols, noting that the river’s limestone bed, prone to flash flooding, posed unique risks. The community is also grappling with grief, with 27 campers and counselors confirmed dead, including 8-year-old Kellyanne Elizabeth Lytal and counselor Chloe Childress, whose families spoke of their joy and faith.

The words “It’s time” have become a rallying cry. Sheriff Leitha, addressing the media, said, “Sarah’s words and her footage are our guide. We’re doubling down on searches because it’s time to find answers.” The announcement has drawn national attention, with donations pouring into the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. Schools, churches, and businesses are organizing fundraisers, while residents offer shelter to displaced families. The National Weather Service warns of more rain, adding pressure to the mission.

Sarah, recovering in a San Antonio hospital, remains under observation, her family requesting privacy. Her smartwatch, a simple device, has become a lifeline, its footage and her words shaping the search for the missing. The community, battered but united, holds onto hope, inspired by stories of heroism, like counselors writing names on campers’ bodies to ensure identification. As Kerrville prays for more survivors, Sarah’s “It’s time” echoes, a call to action in a tragedy that has tested Texas’ resolve but not broken its spirit.