A catastrophic flooding event has claimed at least 27 lives in Kerr County, after torrential rainfall overnight Thursday into Friday morning transformed July 4th celebrations into a tragic disaster. The flooding, described by local officials as a “mass casualty event,” has prompted the largest rescue operation in the region’s recent history.
Meanwhile, concerns about flooding has shifted toward Travis, Williamson and Burnet counties this morning after more rain fell last night.
Rain in the area overnight and early this morning was coming down at a rate of 1.5 to 2 inches per hour.
Water rescues have occurred in the ATX overnight.
Water rescues continued early this morning:
UPDATE (12;30 p.m.):
Rising Death Toll and Missing Persons
The death toll in Kerr County has climbed to 24 people, with Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirming the fatalities at a Friday evening news conference. An additional fatality was reported in neighboring Kendall County, though its connection to the flooding remains unclear.
UPDATE (10:00 a.m.):
Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring, visibly emotional during a news conference, emphasized the timing of the disaster: “This came at night, when people were asleep in bed. Please pray for our community.”
Perhaps most concerning is the fate of more than 20 girls from Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp in Hunt, who remain unaccounted for. The private Christian camp was in the path of the devastating floodwaters when the Guadalupe River burst its banks in the early morning hours.
The Heart O the Hills camp in Hunt was also affected. Its director, Jane Ragsdale, lost her life while attempting to rescue staff.
Unprecedented Flooding Conditions
The flooding struck with little warning as residents and Fourth of July campers slept. Parts of central Texas received a month’s worth of rain in just a few hours, creating what meteorologists describe as a one-in-100-year intensity event. The Guadalupe River at Comfort surged to 29.86 feet after rising 22 feet in just 30 minutes, while at Kerrville, water levels rose 21.6 feet in one hour.
Massive Rescue Operations Underway
Emergency responders have conducted one of the largest rescue operations in the region’s history. As of Friday evening, 237 people have been rescued or evacuated, with 167 of those rescues conducted by helicopter. The operation has deployed 30 boats and 167 off-road vehicles, with rescue missions expected to continue throughout the night.
Local officials confirmed they are working around the clock on rescue and recovery efforts, with multiple agencies coordinating the response. The operation has been complicated by the continued threat of additional rainfall in the region, which forecasters warn could worsen the already dire situation.
State Response and Resources
Governor Greg Abbott has mobilized extensive state resources to support the flood response. The state has deployed more than 1,000 state responders and more than 800 vehicles and equipment assets, with more than 15 state agencies currently responding to the flooding threat across the state.
The state response includes water rescue teams, sheltering centers, the National Guard, and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, currently serving as acting governor, is coordinating the state’s response efforts.
Travis County has dispatched its STAR Flight helicopter to assist with rescue missions in Kerr County and surrounding areas.
Austin-Travis County EMS has also deployed crews, including a boat squad and search and rescue teams, along with their AMBUS.
There are questions, however, about Kerr County officials use of social media during the crisis.
While the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning at 1:14 a.m. for portions of that area, it would be hours before the city and county’s Facebook pages posted their initial urgent directions for residents from local authorities.
Community Impact and Infrastructure Damage
The flooding has swept away entire buildings and sent cars swirling through the muddy waters. The disaster has particularly impacted the Texas Hill Country, a region known for its scenic beauty and popular tourist destinations. The area, nicknamed “flash flood alley” by forecasters, has experienced flooding before, but nothing approaching this magnitude.
Local officials have urged residents not to travel unless seeking higher ground, as roads remain impassable and dangerous conditions persist throughout the region.
Ongoing Concerns
Weather forecasters have warned that additional rainfall is expected in the coming days, potentially worsening the situation. The combination of saturated ground, damaged infrastructure, and continued weather threats has emergency officials maintaining their highest alert status.
The search for the missing Camp Mystic campers continues to be the most pressing concern for rescue teams.
What we know about the Camp Mystic girls still missing. (Austin American-Statesman)
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Austin city officials were forced to cancel last night’s planned Star-Spangled Fourth celebration and fireworks show downtown due to saturating rains and unsafe conditions.
Round Rock also canceled their holiday festivities.
Cedar Park too.
Mustang Ridge authorities arrested a man overnight for driving drunk past an accident scene with his young son in the vehicle.
A 67-year-old man was found dead Thursday night in a home in Leander, after “a small explosion or a fire.”
Immigration advocates called on federal authorities to provide more information about a raid that happened in Hays County back in April. Federal officials said the round up of nearly 50 people was part of a crackdown on a criminal gang from Venezuela.
Shane James, accused of killing his parents in Bexar County before driving to Austin and fatally shooting four more people, had previously been declared incompetent to stand trial and was being held in a state hospital. It’s unclear why James is back in the Travis County Jail or what this means for the future of the case.
A tragic accident on Lake Travis has now led to a $1 million lawsuit filed by the widow of a New Jersey man killed by a jet ski.
This week’s Crime Watch from FOX 7 Austin.
It won’t open until 2029, but Austin’s new convention center has already booked events that will result in tens of thousands of hotel rooms being used. (Austin Business Journal)
With more than one-fifth of downtown office space currently sitting vacant or available for near-term leases (and some estimates placing that number closer to 26 percent citywide), the Downtown Austin Alliance is turning its attention to underused parcels that could support a greater mix of uses, especially housing. (Austin Monitor)
Two big apartment complexes are slated for North Austin. (Austin Business Journal)
Budget concerns are causing Georgetown officials to propose new ideas to cut costs for fiscal year 2025-26, including closing River Ridge Pool.
Out of three outdoor pools run by the city, City Manager David Morgan said River Ridge Pool has the highest net cost per admission and is the least utilized.
WEATHER
Texas will pay $6.6 million to four former top deputies of Attorney General Ken Paxton. The deputies claim they were fired in retaliation for reporting Paxton to the FBI. This years-long legal battle concluded on Wednesday when Paxton dropped his appeal of an April judgment.
The Army has posted thousands of the warnings in New Mexico and western Texas, declaring a “restricted area by authority of the commander.”
The move places long stretches of the border under the supervision of nearby military bases, empowering U.S. troops to detain people who enter the country illegally and sidestep a law prohibiting military involvement in civilian law enforcement. (Chron)
In a late-night ruling Thursday, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals continued to block Texas from enforcing a 2023 immigration law that would allow local police to arrest people they suspect crossed the Texas-Mexico border illegally. (Texas Tribune)
Samsung Electronics is making progress on its massive $17 billion chip factory in Central Texas. (My San Antonio)
Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s aides have signaled their boss’s willingness to counter Texas redistricting with a similar move to offset GOP gains.
Aaron Reitz, former U.S. assistant attorney general in the Department of Justice Office of Legal Policy, said he is running for attorney general to increase cooperation between Texas and the Trump administration. (KXAN-TV)
Following years of widespread fraud and abuse that touched every state, Texas is eliminating most temporary paper license plates and replacing them with new color-coded metal ones. This week on Inside the Investigation, Investigative Reporter Matt Grant explains the new challenges that may arise with a new system.
Republican Congressman Keith Self discusses his vote for the “One Big Beautiful Bill”. He also addresses some of his concerns about the spending and what changed his vote.
After six months of tumultuous change inside Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, from eliminating bag fees and open seating to talk of European flights and partnerships with other international carriers, CEO Bob Jordan promised the airline would keep evolving. “We won’t stop here,” Jordan told the Jasons on this episode, “we’re gonna keep changing.”
SPORTS
MLS: Austin FC will be back at home tonight, when the VERDE & Black take on LAFC at 7:30 p.m. CT at Q2 Stadium. (Austin FC)
MLB: The Houston Astros and Texas Rangers are both playing in California this weekend.
Last night, a win for the Astros and a loss for the Rangers.
Jose Altuve homered twice while reaching base five times and driving in five runs, and the Houston Astros routed the Los Angeles Dodgers 18-1 on Friday night in the series opener of a matchup between division leaders. It was the Dodgers’ worst loss at Dodger Stadium. (Yahoo! Sports)
Jake Cronenworth singled to right field with the bases loaded and two outs in the 10th inning to give the San Diego Padres a 3-2 win over the Texas Rangers on Friday. (Yahoo! Sports)
ON THE SCHEDULE
AL WEST
The devastating events in Kerr County yesterday (and still a developing situation) was literally history repeating itself.
A similar flood happened in the area 38 years ago in 1987.
