Heavy rains in Texas on Sunday have halted the weeklong search for victims of catastrophic flooding along the Guadalupe River. The downpours have led to high-water rescues in other areas, prompting officials to issue warnings about potential surges in waterways. This is the first time severe weather has paused the search efforts since the July Fourth floods, which claimed the lives of at least 129 people. Authorities fear that more than 160 individuals may still be missing in Kerr County.
In Kerrville, local officials, who have faced scrutiny over the adequacy of warnings given to residents, went door-to-door in some neighborhoods after midnight to alert residents about the potential for flooding. Ingram Fire Department officials have evacuated search crews from the Guadalupe River corridor in Kerr County due to the high risk of flash floods. Search-and-rescue operations are scheduled to resume on Monday, contingent on river conditions.
Governor Greg Abbott reported that the state was conducting rescues in several counties and evacuations were underway in others. The recent flooding has caused significant damage to around 100 homes and resulted in the destruction of cattle fencing. Ashley Johnson, CEO of the Hill Country Community Action Association, stated that various infrastructure in rural communities had been affected.
With more rain in the forecast, county officials have ordered residents in flood-prone areas near the San Saba River to evacuate. People are being relocated to the San Saba Civic Center for assistance and shelter. The weather system responsible for the heavy rains has caused rivers and streams to overflow, particularly along the I-35 corridor and eastward.
The Guadalupe River is expected to rise to nearly 15 feet by Sunday afternoon, well above flood stage, posing a threat to the Highway 39 bridge in Hunt. Other waterways in Texas are also experiencing increased levels, leading to rescues like one where a motorist became stranded in waist-high rapids on a submerged bridge over the Bosque River. Emergency crews are actively responding to such incidents caused by the ongoing heavy rains.
In Sonora, a city in west Texas, officials ordered evacuations in certain neighborhoods due to flooding. Mayor Juanita Gomez announced in a Facebook video on Sunday that water rescues had been conducted and a temporary shelter had been set up at the civic center. Sonora is located approximately 110 miles northwest of Kerrville.
In Kerrville, amid heavy rain, Matthew Stone was seen clearing debris from a storm sewer in front of his home on Guadalupe Street to prevent flooding. Nearby houses were greatly affected by the July 4 floods, prompting Stone to assist his elderly neighbors to safety before their home was engulfed by water. Despite the challenging situation, Stone expressed feeling secure, thanks to the support received from the police and frequent alerts.
Early on Independence Day, the Guadalupe River surged 26 feet, causing widespread destruction to homes and vehicles in the area. Search and rescue efforts have been ongoing, utilizing helicopters, boats, and drones to locate and aid individuals stranded by the floods. The hill country region of Texas, including Kerr County, suffered significant damage, with properties like Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp, being severely impacted.
The scale of the flood exceeded expectations, with the sheer volume of rainfall overwhelming the area. The storm deposited an estimated 120 billion gallons of water on Kerr County alone, far surpassing what was anticipated by experts and emergency agencies.
