After a tragedy, records from local archives can help us understand how a community understands itself. Here’s some of what we learned following the devastating July 4 flooding in Texas.

When too much rain falls for the ground to absorb, it runs downhill, pulled by gravity into streams, creeks and rivers.

At least 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic perished in Friday's floods, with the total death toll in the floods now surpassing 100.

The state leaves building zoning and permits up to the individual counties. And in most non-city counties, such as Kerr, which had 96 deaths as of Thursday due to floods, some officials tend to be lenient towards building owners with restrictions, some state leaders and environmental experts told ABC News.

Many questions remain about how storms caught off guard an area prone to flooding and led to the second deadliest flood in Texas history. Here’s what we know. Flooding death toll increases to 132;

Betty Matteson’s four children, nine grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren have squeezed into her Texas Hill Country home countless times since 1968.

At least 27 campers and counselors were killed at Camp Mystic during the devastating Texas floods. Some are still missing.

Kerr County had discussed buying such things as water gauges and sirens after previous flood disasters. But as with many rural Texas counties, cost was an issue.

Colorado summer camp directors are well aware of the threat natural disasters like a wildfire or flood could mean for campers.