Rainfall Turns Deadly in Hill Country
The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed that rainfall reached exceptional levels on July 4, with some regions in Central Texas recording as much as 7 inches in just three hours. According to meteorological data, the Guadalupe River near Kerrville swelled from under two feet to over 34 feet in just over an hour—an extraordinary and deadly rise.
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Though Kerrville registered over 11 inches of rain across three days, other surrounding towns between San Antonio and Austin received nearly double that total, further exacerbating the situation. Officials described the flooding event as “catastrophic,” with Sheriff Larry Leitha of Kerr County confirming the grim discovery of 59 bodies in his jurisdiction alone—including 21 children. The majority of these deaths occurred near summer camps and low-lying communities.
Key Cities Affected: Hunt, Ingram, Kerrville
The NWS issued a Flash Flood Emergency on Sunday for Hunt, Ingram, and Kerrville in Kerr County, where continuous rainfall and surging rivers turned streets into torrents. Among the most severely hit was Hunt, a rural community near Camp Mystic, where the river crested at nearly 30 feet following 12 to 13 inches of rainfall. Several girls from the camp remain missing as emergency crews search the area.
In Ingram, flooding of the Guadalupe River destroyed homes and critical roadways, including a key bridge on Cade Loop, while in Kerrville, the county seat, 34-foot river surges overwhelmed parks and residential neighborhoods, forcing evacuations from Louise Hays Park and adjacent homes.Meanwhile, although not under current emergency orders, Comfort in Kendall County and Center Point in Kerr County were among the earlier impacted towns, with Comfort recording a peak river crest of 34.76 feet—well beyond flood-stage thresholds.
Scale of the Crisis: Rainfall by the Numbers
The magnitude of the rainfall has shocked both officials and residents alike. According to the NWS, some locations witnessed rates of 3–4 inches per hour. A staggering 7 inches of rain equals approximately 122 million gallons of water per square mile—enough to fill the AT&T Stadium in Arlington multiple times over when spread across 7 square miles.
The sudden deluge caught many by surprise during early morning hours, trapping families inside homes and cabins. Camp Mystic, a girls-only Christian summer camp near Hunt, was the site of multiple fatalities. Several campers remain unaccounted for, despite ongoing efforts by emergency responders utilizing helicopters, boats, and drones.
Emergency Response & Federal Aid
Governor Greg Abbott has declared a disaster across multiple counties, enabling rapid response resources to flow into affected regions. On Sunday, the governor confirmed that 41 individuals remain missing statewide, adding that the numbers may rise as further assessments are conducted.
Additionally, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County, thereby authorizing assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to aid recovery and rescue operations.
The NWS has maintained a Flood Watch for a wide swath of south-central Texas, including Bandera, Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lee, Llano, Medina, Travis, and Williamson counties. However, the Flash Flood Emergency remains specific to Hunt, Ingram, and Kerrville due to the extreme river conditions.
More Rain Expected, Risks Persist
In its latest bulletin, NWS Austin/San Antonio warned that “a very dangerous flash flooding event is ongoing” and that an additional 1–5 inches of rain could fall in the coming hours, posing continued threats to lives and property along the Guadalupe River.
Authorities urged residents in low-lying areas to immediately evacuate and seek higher ground. “Don’t wait,” one official said. “The water is rising faster than anyone can predict.”
In a community gathering filled with grief and prayer, residents recounted terrifying scenes—cabins swept away, bridges collapsing, and streets turning into torrents. Amid growing frustration over limited escape routes and slow communications, search-and-rescue teams pressed on, even as muddy conditions and debris hampered their efforts.
Texas Floods: A Crisis in Motion
With the death toll mounting and rescue operations still underway, officials have emphasized the need for patience, vigilance, and cooperation. The Texas Floods, driven by one of the heaviest rainfall events in recent memory, have affected hundreds of families, decimated infrastructure, and left entire communities in mourning.
As weather forecasters predict additional storms in the days ahead, the full scale of destruction and loss remains unknown. But for now, Central Texas faces a long and painful road to recovery.
FAQs
What caused the severe flooding in Central Texas?
The flooding was triggered by a rare convergence of intense thunderstorms and already-saturated river basins. Some areas received up to 7 inches of rain in just three hours, with the Guadalupe River rising from under 2 feet to over 34 feet in little more than an hour.
How many casualties have been reported so far?
As of the latest update, at least 82 people have died, including 21 children, with 59 fatalities confirmed in Kerr County alone, according to Sheriff Larry Leitha.
