Kerrville Flooding: Flash Flood Emergency Hits Texas Hill Country

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency early Thursday for more than 45,000 people in Kerr County, Texas, including the towns of Kerrville and Ingram. The warning, the highest level of flood alert, remains in effect until 9 a.m. local time. Life-threatening flooding is already underway in the same areas of the Texas Hill Country that experienced catastrophic floods last July.

Kerrville officials are urging residents to shelter in place as dangerous flash flooding closes roads across the county and makes travel hazardous. Evacuations and water rescues are escalating, with water beginning to enter structures. The National Weather Service warned that rises are expected along the Guadalupe River, which flows through the heart of the region.

The current emergency comes exactly one year after devastating floods in Kerr County left more than 130 dead, including 25 girls and two counselors at Camp Mystic. That tragedy reshaped how the community and local authorities approach extreme weather preparedness. Hill Country camps are now closely monitoring the Guadalupe River and keeping families updated after the heavy rain, according to KHOU reports.

Beyond Kerr County, a flash flood emergency has also been issued for Uvalde County as rivers rise and roads flood. Additional tornado warnings are in effect for Edwards, Real, and Uvalde Counties. The broader region continues to face dangerous flooding threats, with high-water rescues and evacuations reported in nearby Boerne and Schertz. Schertz issued a disaster declaration as Cibolo Creek flooding prompted evacuations.

For residents and travelers in the Texas Hill Country, the immediate priority is safety. The National Weather Service advises staying off roads, avoiding low-lying areas, and heeding local emergency orders. With the Guadalupe River expected to rise further, the risk of additional flash flooding remains high through the morning hours.

This week's extreme rainfall underscores the persistent vulnerability of the Hill Country to sudden, life-threatening floods. As the region continues to recover from last year's tragedy, the current emergency serves as a stark reminder of the importance of flood preparedness tips and community resilience.