KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) — Heavy rains in Texas on Sunday brought a halt to the weeklong search for victims of catastrophic flooding along the Guadalupe River. Local authorities warned that ongoing downpours could once again cause waterways to surge, leading to high-water rescues in other areas of the state.
This marked the first time severe weather has interrupted the search since the devastating floods on July Fourth, which resulted in the deaths of at least 129 people. Authorities estimate that over 160 individuals may still be missing in Kerr County.
In Kerrville, local officials faced scrutiny regarding the flood warnings issued to residents. To address the situation, authorities went door-to-door in certain neighborhoods after midnight on Sunday, alerting residents of the potential for renewed flooding. Additionally, alerts were sent to the phones of those living in the area.
The Ingram Fire Department instructed search crews to evacuate the Guadalupe River corridor in Kerr County until further notice, citing a high potential for flash floods. Search-and-rescue efforts were expected to resume on Monday, contingent on river conditions, according to fire department spokesman Brian Lochte.
“We’re coordinating with several teams and utilizing airboats and search-and-rescue boats just in case,” Lochte stated.
As heavy rain fell on Sunday, National Weather Service forecasters warned that the Guadalupe River could rise to nearly 15 feet (approximately 4.6 meters) by Sunday afternoon, exceeding the flood stage by about five feet. This increase could inundate the Highway 39 bridge in Hunt, the small town where Camp Mystic, a century-old girls’ summer camp, is located.
“Numerous secondary roads and bridges are flooded and very dangerous,” the weather service warned.
The rains have also caused other waterways to overflow farther north in Texas. Emergency crews rescued a motorist stranded in waist-high rapids on a submerged bridge over the Bosque River. The man was trying to find support by leaning on his vehicle while first responders attempted to reach him with life jackets.
“He drove into it and didn’t realize how deep it was,” reported Jeff Douglas, president of the McGregor Volunteer Fire Department. “Fortunately, he was able to stand next to the vehicle.”
Meanwhile, Matthew Stone was clearing branches and debris from a storm sewer outside his home on Guadalupe Street in Kerrville as several inches of water accumulated on the road. Multiple homes on the street had been severely impacted by the July 4 floods, and earlier, Stone had to assist his elderly neighbors in evacuating their home before it became submerged. He expressed cautious optimism about the current situation.
“My wife was really worried, that’s for sure, but as long as that river doesn’t rise, we’ll be okay,” he said. “The police have been very active, and we’re receiving a lot of alerts and support.”
Just before daybreak on July 4, the fast-moving waters rose a staggering 26 feet (8 meters) on the Guadalupe River, sweeping away homes and vehicles. In the aftermath, searchers employed helicopters, boats, and drones to locate victims and rescue those stranded in trees or at camps cut off by washed-out roads.
The floods caused extensive damage to the Hill Country region of Texas, where the riverbanks and hills of Kerr County feature vacation cabins, youth camps, and campgrounds, including Camp Mystic. This historic girls’ camp experienced significant losses, with at least 27 campers and counselors unaccounted for.
Experts noted that the flooding was far more severe than what would typically occur in a 100-year event, as projected by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The rapid onset of floodwaters in the middle of the night caught many residents off guard, particularly in a county that lacked an effective warning system.
The overwhelming volume of rain was staggering. Former NOAA chief scientist Ryan Maue calculated that the storm had deposited approximately 120 billion gallons of water on Kerr County, which suffered the brunt of the storm’s impact.
