Residents of Kerr County advised to avoid traveling except for moving to higher ground on Guadalupe due to severe flooding resulting in fatalities.
In Kerr County, Texas, a catastrophic flash flood emergency has unfolded along the Guadalupe River, resulting in multiple fatalities and missing persons. The heavy rains that have fallen throughout the day, reaching up to 10 inches in some areas, have caused the river to rise rapidly, reaching its second-highest recorded level.
The Kerr County Sheriff's Office has issued a flash flood emergency and is coordinating with multiple agencies on search, rescue, and evacuation efforts. Residents, especially those near creeks, streams, and the Guadalupe River, are being urged to immediately move to higher ground. Most residents are advised to shelter in place and avoid non-essential travel. However, people camping near the river between Comfort and Canyon Lake are being instructed to evacuate immediately due to ongoing downstream flooding.
Emergency crews have been dispatched to assist neighboring Kerr and Kimble Counties. The water level and force of the flooding have rivaled the 1987 flood, a famous flood in the region where ten people lost their lives. The heavy rainfall has drained into the Guadalupe River Basin, according to Jason Runyan, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
The Guadalupe River at Hunt has reached its highest level on record, higher than the historic 1987 flood in the area. Some of the river instrumentation and gauges were affected or washed out due to the high and forceful water. Jason Runyan stressed the importance of avoiding travel around the Kerr County region due to flooded low water crossings.
The flash flood emergency is different from a flash flood warning, which is for imminent flooding in areas like rivers, streams, and creeks that go over low water crossings. The flash flood emergency is saved for days where widespread damage or loss of life is expected. The flash flood emergency in Kerr County has been extended until 2 p.m.
Low water crossings across the county are being closely monitored. If you live or are vacationing along the Guadalupe River, you need to seek higher ground immediately, according to Jason Runyan. The Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce has issued a statement regarding road closures: Schubert at Milam, Edison to Travis, 2000 Block Upper Liveoak, 2500 Block W. Liveoak, Hayden Ranch Road, Shin Oak, 783 Nort Fielder Road at Pedernales River, FM2093/Tivydale at Friedrich and Usener, Wendel Loop at 290 West.
Authorities advise against traveling through the county unless necessary to reach higher ground, but specific road closure details have not been provided in the latest updates. The overall guidance is to avoid travel in Kerr County except for evacuation or emergencies. The National Weather Service is providing updates on the flooding event in Kerr County.
Local and state authorities remain mobilized to respond across the county as the situation develops. The Kerr County Sheriff's Office continues to urge residents to heed warnings and take immediate action to ensure their safety.
The Guadalupe River community in Kerr County is advised to immediately seek higher ground due to the ongoing flood emergency, with floodwater levels rivaling those of the 1987 disaster. Emergency crews are monitoring low water crossings across the county and warning against travel, particularly for those living or vacationing along the Guadalupe River.
