Breaking: Fatalities confirmed in July 4 flooding in Kerr County

Catastrophic flooding from overnight storms has claimed multiple lives in Kerr County, prompting officials to declare a local state of disaster as the Guadalupe River reached its second-highest level on record Friday morning.

The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office confirmed fatalities from the flooding event but said it will not release further details until next of kin are notified. Officials are conducting evacuations along the Guadalupe River as a “deadly flood wave” continues downstream toward Kerrville and surrounding communities.

The National Weather Service said the Guadalupe River at Hunt reached its second-highest height on record at 5:10 a.m., surpassing levels from the historic 1987 flood. The river is forecast to crest at 34 feet at 6 a.m., according to the National Water Prediction Service.

USGS data shows Johnson Creek near Ingram reached 810 cubic feet per second on July 4, far exceeding the historical maximum of 300 cfs recorded in 2002 and dramatically above the median flow of 12 cfs.

Mayor Joe Herring Jr. signed the disaster declaration on July 4, citing “severe flooding from a weather event that brought rain that began overnight and continues.” The proclamation activates the city’s Emergency Management Plan and takes effect immediately.

Kerrville authorities are urging residents who live within 100 yards of the river to “evacuate now” as water overtakes several streets in town. A reunification area has been set up at the Walmart at 2106 Junction Highway.

The National Weather Service issued Flash Flood Emergencies for the area, warning of “life-threatening flash flooding” with rainfall of 6-7 inches causing major rises in the river system. Over 7 inches of rain in six hours was reported in Kerr County.

The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office is working to evacuate people on State Highway 39 near the Guadalupe River in Hunt amid major flooding. The Texas Department of Transportation has closed the highway.

The city’s “Fourth on the River” holiday celebration has been cancelled after Louise Hays Park flooded Friday morning. Multiple road closures are in effect throughout the county.

“All Kerrville residents who live near the Guadalupe River are urged to evacuate now,” Kerrville Police said. “This is a life-threatening event. Do not wait.”

The disaster declaration, signed under Texas Government Code Section 418.108(A), allows the state of disaster to continue for up to seven days unless renewed by the Kerrville City Council.

Kerr County, located 65 miles northwest of San Antonio in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, has a population of about 52,600. The area is prone to flash flooding due to its geography, with fast-moving water rushing down the slopes of the Hill Country into the Guadalupe River system.

This is a developing story. More information will be provided as it becomes available.