Texas Flood Crisis
One Dead in Texas Hill Country as Life-Threatening Floods Devastate Kerr County, Evacuations Continue
Anonymous
Key Points
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Texas has mobilized more than 1,300 responders across Kerr County, Uvalde and other parts of the state to address the flooding.
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Sirens installed after the 2025 floods largely functioned during the current event, with one siren triggering late by five to ten minutes before sounding.
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Two Kerr County shelters opened; major road closures included Highway 39 and Highway 83, and the 480 bridge southeast of Kerrville was washed out, complicating evacuations.
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Guadalupe River surged about 35 feet in four hours near Comfort, with reports Center Point gauge rising about 32 feet in four hours, signaling an approach to the catastrophic 2025 crest; rescue operations included a Texas Game Warden boat searching the river and responders needing a chainsaw to reach people trapped on rooftops.
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Kerrville Mayor said the flood damage is 'beyond the city's ability to recover,' indicating substantial strain on local resources.
One person is dead and hundreds are fleeing their homes as the Guadalupe River surges through Texas Hill Country, threatening to crest near 39 feet, according to USA Today. Governor Greg Abbott confirmed the death occurred during high-water rescue operations, and has issued disaster declarations for 59 counties across the state.
The Guadalupe rose roughly 35 feet in just four hours near Comfort, Texas — a catastrophic rise that washed out the 480 bridge southeast of Kerrville and forced closures of Highway 39 and Highway 83, El Paso Times reported. More than 1,300 emergency responders are now deployed across Kerr County and neighboring areas.
River Rose 35 Feet in Four Hours Near Comfort
The Guadalupe River's surge was staggering in speed. Near Comfort, the river climbed about 35 feet in four hours. At the Center Point gauge, the rise was roughly 32 feet in the same window, according to My San Antonio. The National Weather Service declared a Flash Flood Emergency and warned of life-threatening conditions across Kerrville, Comfort, Center Point, and Waring.
Officials warn the river has not yet crested. The forecast peak is near 39 feet — approaching the catastrophic levels seen during the July 4, 2025 flood that killed more than 100 people in Kerr County. The National Weather Service has extended flood warnings as the situation remains volatile and uncertain.
Rescuers Use Chainsaws to Reach Rooftop Survivors
Rescue teams faced extreme conditions getting to trapped residents. Responders needed a chainsaw to cut through debris and reach people stranded on rooftops, 97X Online reported. Texas Game Warden boats searched the swollen river for victims. Two emergency shelters opened in Kerr County to house evacuees forced from their homes.
Over 1,300 personnel are now active across Kerr County, Uvalde, and other affected areas. The 480 bridge southeast of Kerrville was completely washed out, cutting off evacuation routes. Highway 39 and Highway 83 remain closed. Authorities have repeated one firm message to drivers: "Turn around, don't drown."
Warning Sirens Worked — Mostly — After July 4 Lesson
After the deadly July 4, 2025 flood, Kerr County installed new warning sirens. During this event, those sirens largely functioned as intended. One siren triggered late — by five to ten minutes — before sounding the alarm, according to USA Today. Officials called that a minor issue compared to the broader system performance.
The July 4 flood serves as a grim benchmark. That event killed at least 28 people at Camp Mystic alone and more than 100 across Kerr County overall. The current flood has not yet matched that death toll, but rescues are ongoing and conditions remain dangerous.
Kerrville Mayor: Damage 'Beyond the City's Ability to Recover'
The scale of destruction is overwhelming local government. Kerrville's mayor said the flood damage is "beyond the city's ability to recover," signaling that state and federal aid will be essential. Governor Abbott's disaster declarations for 59 counties set the stage for that outside help, My San Antonio reported.
Authorities are urging all residents in low-lying areas near the Guadalupe to move to higher ground immediately. The river's crest timing remains uncertain. Emergency coordinators warn that conditions could worsen before they improve, and rescue operations are expected to continue through the coming days.
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