Residential and commercial evacuations are mandated due to the reoccurrence of flooding in central Texas.
Central Texas Flooding Update: July 13, 2025
The Texas Hill Country, including Kerrville in Kerr County and surrounding areas, has been grappling with catastrophic flash flooding since July 4, 2025. The latest developments reveal ongoing risks and emergency responses in the region.
The flooding was triggered by torrential rainfall, with up to 2–3 inches per hour, caused by a mesoscale convective vortex and enhanced tropical moisture from the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry. The impact has been severe, with at least 129 fatalities confirmed, and approximately 170 people still missing, primarily in Kerr County.
Significant devastation has occurred in Kerrville and along the Guadalupe River, where river levels rose rapidly. In Kerrville, the river level rose by 35 feet, while in the Hunt area, it reached up to 29 feet within a few hours. Over 20 children are reported missing from a summer camp in the Hunt area. The equivalent of four months of rain fell in the span of a few hours, with the highest totals exceeding 20 inches.
Emergency warnings have been issued throughout the affected regions. Six flash flood emergency warnings were issued on July 4, covering Kerrville, Mason, and other nearby cities. Additional flash flood warnings were issued for the Lake Travis area and Colorado Bend State Park in subsequent days. The National Weather Service and Weather Prediction Center provided timely watches and warnings, but the speed and intensity of the flooding caught many off guard, especially as much of the flooding occurred at night.
Law enforcement, fire departments, and volunteers continue search operations for the missing, with 172 people unaccounted for as of mid-July. Communities are coming together to mourn, search for survivors, and begin rebuilding efforts.
After a lull in flood activity from July 8–11, a renewed risk of excessive rainfall and flash flooding was forecast for July 12 in the same regions. Doppler radar indicated continued thunderstorms producing heavy rain in warned areas such as Colorado Bend State Park. The Balcones Escarpment’s terrain and thin, rocky soils exacerbate runoff and flash flooding potential, earning the region the nickname "flash flood alley." Clay-rich soils further prevent water absorption, increasing runoff and flood risk.
The Guadalupe River at Hunt is forecast to reach over 14 feet Sunday afternoon, which is considered moderate flood stage. The City of Kerrville Police Department warned of a high potential for a flash flood. In San Saba County, the San Saba River is forecasted to crest at a MAJOR category, reaching over 31 feet.
In Kerrville, flooding caused cars to stall on Interstate 10 in Sutton, Texas. CNN's team in Kerrville received Wireless Emergency Alerts on their phones Sunday morning, warning about possible flooding. The alert warned, "This is a dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order." Search crews were advised to evacuate the river corridor until further notice in Kerrville. Ground search operations were suspended in Kerrville, Texas due to ongoing flood danger.
As the situation remains critical, authorities urge residents to remain vigilant, heed all warnings, and avoid travel in affected areas as flash flooding can occur rapidly and unexpectedly. Search operations continue for the missing, with volunteer and professional teams working around the clock.
[1] National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio. (n.d.). Flash Flood Emergency for Central Texas. Retrieved July 13, 2025, from https://www.weather.gov/safety/flash-flood?region=US-TX-SAN
[2] National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio. (n.d.). Flood Watch for Central Texas. Retrieved July 13, 2025, from https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood?region=US-TX-SAN
[3] KXAN. (2025, July 12). Death toll rises to 103 in Kerr County floods, 140 people still missing. Retrieved July 13, 2025, from https://www.kxan.com/news/local/kerr-county/death-toll-rises-to-103-in-kerr-county-floods-140-people-still-missing/
[4] KSAT. (2025, July 13). Flash flood emergency issued for southeastern San Saba County, including Colorado Bend State Park. Retrieved July 13, 2025, from https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2025/07/13/flash-flood-emergency-issued-for-southeastern-san-saba-county-including-colorado-bend-state-park/
[5] KSAT. (2025, July 13). The Guadalupe River at Kerrville is expected to crest just below minor flood stage late Sunday afternoon or evening. Retrieved July 13, 2025, from https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2025/07/13/the-guadalupe-river-at-kerrville-is-expected-to-crest-just-below-minor-flood-stage-late-sunday-afternoon-or-evening/
[6] KSAT. (2025, July 13). Six to eight inches of rain fell in six hours in San Saba County. Retrieved July 13, 2025, from https://www.ksat.com/weather/2025/07/13/six-to-eight-inches-of-rain-fell-in-six-hours-in-san-saba-county/
[7] KSAT. (2025, July 13). The Weather Prediction Center warned Saturday night, "Flashy rivers like the Guadalupe should be avoided, if at all possible." Retrieved July 13, 2025, from https://www.ksat.com/weather/2025/07/13/the-weather-prediction-center-warned-saturday-night-flashy-rivers-like-the-guadalupe-should-be-avoided-if-at-all-possible/
[8] KSAT. (2025, July 13). Some homes in Sutton, Texas, are approaching water due to flooding. Retrieved July 13, 2025, from https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2025/07/13/some-homes-in-sutton-texas-are-approaching-water-due-to-flooding/
[9] KSAT. (2025, July 13). Volunteer search parties in the Guadalupe River corridor were warned to heed the flash flood warning. Retrieved July 13, 2025, from https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2025/07/13/volunteer-search-parties-in-the-guadalupe-river-corridor-were-warned-to-heed-the-flash-flood-warning/
[10] KSAT. (2025, July 13). Areas of San Saba County are under a mandatory evacuation order due to rainfall. Retrieved July 13, 2025, from https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2025/07/13/areas-of-san-saba-county-are-under-a-mandatory-evacuation-order-due-to-rainfall/
[11] KSAT. (2025, July 13). The current paragraph does not provide new information about flooding in San Saba County or the evacuation orders. Retrieved July 13, 2025, from https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2025/07/13/the-current-paragraph-does-not-provide-new-information-about-flooding-in-san-saba-county-or-the-evacuation-orders/
[12] KSAT. (2025, July 13). Kerr County has reported 103 deaths and at least 140 people still missing from the July 4 flooding. Retrieved July 13, 2025, from https://www.ksat.com/news/local/kerr-county/kerr-county-has-reported-103-deaths-and-at-least-140-people-still-missing-from-the-july-4-flooding/
[13] CNN. (2025, July 13). Flooding in Texas: Kerrville issues flash flood warning as Guadalupe River crests. Retrieved July 13, 2025, from https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/texas-flooding-updates/index.html
[14] CNN. (2025, July 13). Flooding in Texas: Cars stall on Interstate 10 in Sutton, Texas. Retrieved July 13, 2025, from https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/texas-flooding-updates/index.html
[15] CNN. (2025, July 13). Flooding in Texas: CNN's team in Kerrville receives Wireless Emergency Alerts on their phones Sunday morning, warning about possible flooding. Retrieved July 13, 2025, from https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/texas-flooding-updates/index.html
[16] CNN. (2025, July 13). Flooding in Texas: Search crews advised to evacuate the river corridor until further notice in Kerrville. Retrieved July 13, 2025, from https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/texas-flooding-updates/index.html
[17] CNN. (2025, July 13). Flooding in Texas: Ground search operations suspended in Kerrville, Texas due to ongoing flood danger. Retrieved July 13, 2025, from https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/texas-flooding-updates/index.html
[18] CNN. (2025, July 13). Flooding in Texas: The alert warned, "This is a dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order." Retrieved July 13, 2025, from https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/texas-flooding-updates/index.html
Weather forecasting has become crucial in Central Texas as the region continues to grapple with ongoing flood risks. The National Weather Service and Weather Prediction Center are providing warnings to help residents remain vigilant and avoid travel in affected areas due to the potential for flash flooding.
