Catastrophic Flooding Engulfs Central Texas, Fatalities Confirmed as Rescues Mount
Catastrophic Flooding Engulfs Central Texas, Fatalities Confirmed as Rescues Mount
Central Texas is currently battling catastrophic flash flooding this Friday, July 5th, as relentless torrential rains have turned roads into rivers, triggered widespread evacuations, and sadly led to confirmed fatalities. Emergency responders are engaged in extensive water rescues across the region, particularly in Kerr County, where authorities have declared a disaster and urged residents to shelter in place.
The National Weather Service in San Angelo issued dire warnings this morning, emphasizing ‘life-threatening conditions’ and advising against all travel due to expected washed-out roads and rapidly rising water levels. Kerr County officials confirmed fatalities, stating they would not release further details until next of kin are notified. The entire county remains an ‘extremely active scene’.
Widespread rainfall, ranging from 4 to over 10 inches in some areas since late Thursday evening, has overwhelmed the parched landscape, leading to multiple flash flood emergencies – the most severe type of flood warning – across parts of Tom Green, Kerr, and Kendall counties. San Angelo, a city of nearly 100,000, is among the affected areas, with police advising residents to shelter in place, especially in the downtown area.
The Guadalupe River near Hunt in Kerr County has experienced a ‘large and deadly flood wave’, rising an astonishing 22 feet in just three hours to its second-highest level on record before its gauge was damaged. This event, with some areas like Hunt receiving 6.5 inches of rain in three hours, is considered a 1-in-100-year rainfall event for the region.
Crews in Kerrville are actively assisting with high-water rescues, and two city parks, including Kerrville-Schreiner Park, are closed due to flooding, with visitors evacuated from cabins. The severe weather is expected to continue through Friday afternoon, with any additional rainfall poised to worsen the already critical situation.
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