A woman in Arkansas drowned in floodwaters shortly after getting on the phone with an emergency dispatcher who scolded her for driving during the storm.

According to a news release from the Fort Smith Police department, 47-year-old Debra Stevens was delivering local newspapers at approximately 4:08 am on Aug. 24 when her SUV was swept away by a flash flood.

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After finding herself stuck in a stand of trees as waters continued to rise, Stevens called 911 for help and was connected with dispatcher Donna Reneau.

In audio recordings of the call Fort Smith Police released with “with great reluctance” this week, Stevens could be heard in distress, saying that her car veered off the road and that she can’t get out.

“I can’t get out and I’m scared to death ma’am,” Stevens can be heard telling Reneau, adding: “Please help me. I don’t want to die.”

“You’re not going to die. Hold on for a minute,” Reneau says in response.

“How long’s it gonna take?” Stevens asks, sounding more panicked.

“I don’t have an officer available, so it’s going to take a minute. So, I’m gonna try to get somebody out there to you, okay?” Reneau says.

“How long’s it gonna take? Please –” Stevens continues before Reneau says, “Listen to me. I need you to calm down and hold on.”

“I’m just scared ma’am. I’m sorry,” Steven says crying.

“I understand that you’re scared but there’s nothing I can do sitting in a chair. So, you’re going to have to hold on and I’m gonna send you somebody, okay?”

“I’m scared. I never had anything like this happen to me before. I’m scared,” Stevens continues.

“Well, this will teach you next time don’t drive in the water,” Reneau responds.

"I couldn’t see it ma’am. I’m sorry or I wouldn’t have," Stevens says.

“I don’t know how you didn’t see it. You had to go right over. So..." Reneau replies.

According to a timeline of events provided by local police, rescuers didn’t get to Stevens’s vehicle until almost an hour and half after she called 911 for help. Authorities attempted to perform CPR on Stevens, but she died.

The Fort Smith Police department said in a statement that the “911 operator who took the call dispatched Fort Smith Fire and Police units who were inundated with 911 calls from other citizens also stranded in flood waters.”

“Also exacerbating response and rescue efforts were the facts that Mrs. Stevens was having trouble describing her exact location and flooding limited the ability of first responders to reach her. When first responders were finally able to pinpoint the location of Mrs. Stevens’ vehicle, the swift, rising water made immediate rescue impossible,” the office continued. “An officer on scene removed his duty gear, donned a life vest, and was ready to enter the current tied to a rope but the speed and volume of water made this attempt futile. When first responders were finally able to reach Mrs. Stevens and extract her from the vehicle, she had tragically succumbed to drowning.”

Local Police Chief Danny Baker said that he was “heartbroken for this tragic loss of life and my prayers are with Debra’s family and friends.”

“All of our first responders who attempted to save Mrs. Stevens are distraught over the outcome. For every one of us, saving lives is at the very core of who we are and why we do what we do. When we are unsuccessful, it hurts,” he continued.

According to NBC News, Reneau no longer works as emergency dispatcher after she submitted her resignation earlier this month, prior to the Stevens’ death. Her last shift was reportedly on the Aug. 24, the same day as the incident involving Stevens.