TEXAS: Just over a week after devastating floods left more than 120 people dead in one of the worst natural disasters in Texas history, the state faced another round of torrential rain on Sunday. Kerr and Gillespie Counties were placed under a “life-threatening” flash flood warning as rainfall rates soared to 1–2 inches per hour.
Authorities in Kerr County issued a “code red” alert, urging residents—particularly those living along the Guadalupe River—to prepare for possible evacuation. “This is not an evacuation order, but a preparation alert,” stated the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office. The warning affects the county’s 50,000 residents.
Kerr County, already reeling from tragic losses on July 4, was hit hardest once again. On that day, the Guadalupe River surged by 20 feet in just 90 minutes, claiming the lives of 27 children and counselors at a Christian summer camp, according to the New York Post.
Search and rescue operations were paused Sunday due to dangerous conditions. In Kerrville—where officials had previously been criticized for delays in warning residents—emergency crews went door-to-door after midnight to alert residents, while phone alerts were sent across affected areas, the Associated Press reported.
The flood warning remains in effect until 7 p.m. (local time) Sunday.
Ingram Fire Department officials ordered all crews to immediately evacuate the Guadalupe River corridor due to the risk of sudden flash floods. “We will provide more information soon, but for now, all search crews need to evacuate the river corridor until further notice,” Kerrville Police said.
Search efforts are expected to resume Monday morning, according to Ingram Fire Department spokesperson Brian Lochte.
Governor Greg Abbott confirmed ongoing rescue operations on Sunday, posting on X that Texas Task Force One and Texas Parks & Wildlife were conducting swift water rescues in Lampasas County. “We continue to monitor all counties with a focus on saving lives,” Abbott wrote.
The governor also announced the expansion of rescue operations beyond Kerr County to now include San Saba, Lampasas, and Schleicher counties. Evacuations have begun in Lampasas, Menard, Kimble, and Sutton counties.
Ashley Johnson, CEO of the Hill Country Community Action Association, told the AP that about 100 homes were damaged in the latest flooding, along with major losses to rural infrastructure such as cattle fencing. “Anything you can imagine in a rural community was damaged,” Johnson said. “Our blessing is it was daylight and we knew it was coming.”
“Everyone is just doing what they can to help their neighbors,” she added.
The National Weather Service warned that the Guadalupe River could crest at nearly 15 feet (4.6 meters) by Sunday afternoon—roughly five feet above flood stage—potentially submerging the Highway 39 bridge in Hunt, near Camp Mystic.
“Numerous secondary roads and bridges are flooded and very dangerous,” the weather service warned.
