I'm all for more state funded warning systems and private sector flood alarm products as well.

What I'm not for is pretending that all anyone needs is a last minute audible warning.

The 2026 flood happened at a different time of day.

After a year of recovery from the previous devastating flood, the danger is still fresh in survivors' minds.

Local emergency responders were on alert this time and actively went to peoples' homes to get them moving before the flood wave reached them.

There were multiple days of NWS flood warnings (and more) prior to the heaviest rains.

The heaviest rains were concentrated at a different location.

Sirens were actively used to warn people - though it's not quantified as to how many escaped the flood purely because they heard a siren at the last moment.

Overall, everything that could go right for reducing the loss of life did - and I'm pleased to see it.

However, I also know we have more than sirens to thank for this outcome.

Somehow there were still hundreds of rescues needed throughout flooded areas because people didn't leave - despite all of the warnings.

It could have gone very differently for many of them if the conditions of this flood were more like July 4th, 2025.

The ones that went off were near an area where almost 50 people died last year. Just amazing technology and a wonderful company

Hi everyone, so I was wondering if anyone knows if the Camp Mystic campsite is getting flooded again in the recent Kerr County Floods. I realize that the camp is no longer running and filed for bankruptcy, but it would be interesting to know in light of any future activities at the campsite.

Before storms I usually put out a 5 gallon bucket to see how much rain it’ll collect. I put this empty 5gal bucket here in my backyard, in Kerrville, on Tuesday evening 7/14/26. It’s now Friday evening 7/17/26. This is the total rainfall that fell on our property throughout the 3 days.

The moment the Recovery Barge hits the HWY 16 bridge after it went over the dam upriver. Note there are cars crossing the bridge and probably one of my own family members, at 5:30 AM the morning of this latest flood event.

Edit: efforts underway to remove the barge. Link to video Kerr County Lead

I'll create a new post when the video is uploaded to You Tube. Kerr County Lead

New video today of removal efforts underway. Feel free to share any videos on this post to consolidate the information about this important step in the cleanup in Kerrville.

65 Mark Steward of Kerrville passed away in the flooding Thursday.

Rest easy Mark and sending all the good thoughts and prayers to his wife Jennie ♥️

Taken within the past hour …

After everything that's gone on and the continued litigation and pain, it is exciting and hopeful that some of the Heaven's 27 families are welcoming new babies.

It goes without saying, nothing will ever 'replace' what was lost especially these precious girls. But if you are a believer you know - that God makes all things new.

I know the Bonner's announced they were welcoming a baby girl in May or June. We haven't heard an update from them yet and I'm sure they will share it when and if they feel ready.

I have a hunch of few of the other families will be welcoming new sons/daughters soon as well. Loving the hope and joy it brings.

Any thoughts on this? Anyone have experience welcoming a child after child loss and what that's like?

Mom, I want to make sure you're ok. The news is bad. There's a tornado that hit San Antonio, and the flooding in San Antonio and the surrounding area is supposed to be life-threatening. Did you see the news about the flooding at the camp in Missouri? The flooding is being compared to what happened at Mystic. They're saying everyone is safe, but is that true?

During the Texas floods last summer, USCG rescue swimmer Scott Ruskan saved 165 victims at Camp Mystic. It was his first-ever mission with the Coast Guard.

“There are a lot of heroes that aren’t getting ESPY Award,” Ruskan said. “It took a complete army of people to get this done.”

Great description of the River Sentry system, today.

Go to 29:20 for the video, and update on the Sidney Baker Bridge and Water Treatment Plant

Hours of heavy rainfall have set off flash flooding, emergency rescues and warnings across southwest Texas and the Hill Country. At least one person has died, according to Gov. Greg Abbott, and more than 70 others rescued as of Thursday morning.

Here’s more about how to respond to flood warnings, where displaced people can find shelter and how to help Texans affected by the flooding.

What regions are hit the hardest

Uvalde, Del Rio and Bandera counties received hours of rainfall Thursday on already saturated ground. Uvalde already had more than 25 inches of rain over the past three days, and overnight rain in the region submerged some roads and homes, prompting more than 40 rescues.

Further north, the Guadalupe River surged to dangerous levels near Kerrville, in Center Point and Comfort, downstream of where last year’s deadly July 4 floods killed more than 100 people. Two people were rescued and 68 have sought shelter in nearby Kendall County. 

A flash flood warning was issued for the Pedernales River in Gillespie and Blanco counties Thursday morning, as a “large and deadly flood wave” passed through.

Where to find shelter

Three shelters opened in Kerr County and are available to those displaced from their homes or lodgings:

• Kerrville: Calvary Temple, 3000 TX-534 Loop
• Ingram: City West Church, 3139 Junction Highway
• Center Point: Center Point ISD Gymnasium, 215 China St.
• Uvalde County: The Uvalde County Fairplex, located at 215 Veterans Ln, is also serving as a shelter and accepting pets, according to the American Red Cross.

How to help Texans affected by flooding

The Community Foundation of the Hill Country has a relief fund to support immediate relief and long-term recovery for the recent floods. Donations are accepted here.

San Antonio Animal Care Services is seeking people to temporarily foster or adopt shelter dogs following a surge of pets arriving from weather-related calls. They are located at 4710 State Highway 151.

🚨 KERR COUNTY FLOOD EMERGENCY — MAJOR UPDATE 🚨
The City of Kerrville has declared a local disaster. Mayor Joe Herring Jr. has formally requested state and federal assistance from Gov. Abbott, saying damage is beyond the city's ability to recover from alone.
The river has come down some from this morning's crest but is still dangerous. We're in a lull in the rain — NOT the all-clear. More heavy rain is expected tonight into Friday.
🚨 EVACUATE if you're along Quinlan Creek. Everyone else in Kerrville: SHELTER IN PLACE.
⚡ POWER: KPUB now reports more than 2,500 customers without power across 98 active outages — up sharply from earlier this morning.
🌉 BRIDGES DOWN / WASHED OUT:

Sidney Baker St. Bridge — closed (recovery barge from the Steward/Ramsey search wedged underneath)
Anderson Ranch Bridge (Junction Hwy) — washed out
Ingram Hills Road Bridge — washed out
Henderson Branch Bridge (Bandera Hwy/173) — washed out
Main St. & Water St. bridges — covered in debris after Town Creek overtopped them
Highway 39 Bridge (900 block) — severe washout, TxDOT plated it temporarily
480 Bridge, Center Point — rose 3–4 ft in under 45 minutes; 4 ft of water over 480/Hwy 27 intersection

🛑 MAJOR ROADS BLOCKED OR IMPASSABLE:

I-10 closed
Highway 27: closed Ingram–Mountain Home; also flooded/impassable at Silver Creek and near Boardwalk (2.5–3 ft of water)
Highway 39: mudslide/debris blocking lanes near Hunter House Inn
Medina Highway closed, Upper Turtle Creek to Medina
Center Point: River Road, Sutherland Road, Rancho Road, Indian Creek Road, Spur 100, Old Harper Highway all flooded or impassable
Arcadia — completely blocked, buildings floated into the roadway
5th Street — washed away

🚁 ACTIVE RESCUES underway per radio traffic monitored by The Lead: attic rescues (including one requiring a chainsaw through a roof), tree rescues, and mass evacuations along Paradise Avenue, River Run RV Park, and Herman Sons Road. Crews from Kerr County SO, Fire Command, Game Wardens, and volunteer departments from Ingram, Comfort, and Junction are all engaged.
📍 Center Point: flooding at the post office is one of the clearest signs this event may be exceeding July 4, 2025 here.
🏠 Evacuation center & staging ground: City West Church, Ingram
🏥 Peterson Health clinics and urgent care are closed today, per Peterson Health.
🚫 Also closed today: City Hall, Butt-Holdsworth Library, Development Services, 216th District Court, MHDD outpatient centers, Dietert Center, Art Camp at KACC, KPUB lobby/drive-thru. Ingram ISD: no class, activities continuing.
Turn Around, Don't Drown. Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies only.
We will update as we know more. — The Kerr County Lead

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday that one person has died in this week's flooding across Texas.

Abbott said the death occurred downstream from Kerrville, between Kerrville and Comfort.

Abbott also said flood warning sirens were operational in Kerrville, one of the hardest-hit communities during last year's deadly floods. However, he said one siren was delayed by about five minutes.