Disaster declarations issued through central Texas as heavy rains produce ‘catastrophic flooding’

 

Disaster Declarations Issued in Central Texas Amid Catastrophic Flooding

Austin, Texas, July 4, 2025 — Central Texas is grappling with what officials have described as a “catastrophic flooding event” following torrential rainfall that dumped over a foot of rain in just a few hours, leading to multiple disaster declarations across the region. The heavy rains, which struck overnight from July 3 into July 4, 2025, caused widespread flash flooding, particularly along the Guadalupe River, resulting in an unconfirmed number of fatalities, significant property damage, and ongoing water rescues.

Scope of the Disaster

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued multiple flash flood warnings and a rare flash flood emergency for Gillespie and Mason counties, with Kerr County being among the hardest hit. In Kerrville, the county seat, Mayor Joe Herring Jr. issued a disaster declaration on Friday morning, activating the city’s Emergency Management Plan due to the severity of the flooding. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly also signed a local disaster declaration, citing widespread damage, injury, and loss of life as the Guadalupe River crested at over 39 feet, surpassing the county’s second-largest flood in modern times (1987).

The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office reported multiple fatalities but withheld further details pending notification of next of kin. The sheriff’s office described the situation as an “extremely active scene” and urged residents to shelter in place and avoid travel, particularly near creeks, streams, and the Guadalupe River, where water levels rose 22 feet in just three hours, reaching the second-highest level on record.

In San Angelo, typically accustomed to about an inch of rain in July, rainfall estimates ranged from 2 to over 10 inches, exacerbating flooding in areas with bone-dry soils due to ongoing drought conditions. The NWS in Austin reported that a river gauge near Hunt, Kerr County, was damaged and rendered inoperable due to the flooding’s intensity.

Disaster Declarations and Response

Disaster declarations have been issued at local levels, with Kerrville and Kerr County taking immediate action to address the crisis. The declarations enable local officials to access emergency resources and coordinate with state and federal agencies. The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has activated the Texas State Emergency Operations Center at Level II (Escalated Response) to support impacted communities. State resources, including Texas A&M Task Force 1 and Texas Task Force 3, have deployed swiftwater and floodwater rescue boat squads to assist with high-water rescues.

Governor Greg Abbott has not yet issued a statewide disaster proclamation specifically for this event, though prior declarations for flooding in 2024 and early 2025, such as those for South Texas in March 2025, indicate a pattern of proactive state response. Residents in affected areas may become eligible for federal assistance through FEMA’s Individual Assistance program or Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans, pending a federal disaster declaration.

Impact and Ongoing Risks

The flooding has caused significant disruption, with roads washed out, homes inundated, and public infrastructure, including Louise Hays Park in Kerrville, submerged under floodwaters. The Fourth of July celebration in Kerrville was canceled due to the flooding. First United Methodist Church in Kerrville has been established as a shelter for displaced residents, and Kerrville Pets Alive! is assisting with pet-related needs.

The heavy rainfall, described as a 1-in-100-year event in Hunt (6.5 inches in three hours), was driven by a slow-moving mesoscale convective system (MCS), not a tropical system, which intensified the flash flooding. The NWS warned that additional rainfall on Friday could worsen conditions, with slow-moving storms lingering into the afternoon.

Posts on X reflect the severity of the situation, with reports of catastrophic flooding across Kerrville, Comfort, Mountain Home, and Ingram, and ongoing flash flood emergencies. The sentiment on social media underscores the urgency, with calls for residents to avoid travel and seek higher ground.

Next Steps

Local officials continue to assess damages, which are expected to be monumental, though estimates remain unavailable until floodwaters recede. Residents are urged to heed warnings, avoid flooded roads, and follow the guidance of emergency management officials. Those in need of assistance can contact FEMA at disasterassistance.gov or 800-621-3362, or reach out to local shelters and organizations like Kerrville Pets Alive! for support.

As the situation evolves, additional counties may be added to disaster declarations, and federal assistance could be requested if damages exceed local and state response capabilities, as outlined under the Stafford Act.

Sources: The Guardian, CNN, National Weather Service, Kerr County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Division of Emergency Management, click2houston.com, hccommunityjournal.com