Day 2 Notebook: Kerr County’s recovery continues, Sidney Baker Bridge reopens

Kerr County’s river levels are dropping and Sidney Baker Street bridge has reopened, but a fresh round of storms overnight brought new flash flood warnings Friday morning — a reminder that this event isn’t fully over, even as recovery work accelerates. Here’s what we’re tracking, updated as we get it.

Sidney Baker bridge reopens

The Sidney Baker Street bridge reopened at 2:15 p.m. Friday, according to Kerrville Police, after the barge that had been wedged beneath it since Thursday morning was cleared. The bridge, which connects downtown Kerrville, had been the city’s single biggest transportation bottleneck since the flood began. City Streets Department crews continue clearing debris and making repairs elsewhere; drivers are still asked to use caution for debris, potholes and ruts on many streets.

How the barge got there

In the early morning hours Thursday, a barge and crane involved in the ongoing Nimitz Lake recovery operation went over the dam, snagging power lines that connect to the city’s water treatment plant, before the barge came to rest wedged between the columns of the Sidney Baker Street bridge. The barge, crane and an accompanying tugboat are part of the state’s effort to recover the remains of Cile Steward and Jeff Ramsey, two people still missing from last year’s flood.

The severed cable knocked out power to more than 900 customers Thursday. As of Friday morning, only the water treatment plant remained without direct power. Kerrville Public Utility Board crews have been working to restring the damaged cables, using a drone to run new cable across the river.

Power nearly fully restored

KPUB has restored power to all but one customer countywide, down from Thursday’s peak of more than 2,500 outages.

Warning systems credited with saving lives

River Sentry, a Texas-based flood-warning company, had installed 105 warning towers along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County ahead of this event. The system’s sensors, lights and sirens activated for the first time during Thursday’s flooding and are being credited by local camps and the company with giving people time to reach higher ground. “The same circumstances that occurred last year occurred again this morning, but this time our towers intervened and woke people and got them out of the way,” said founder Ian Cunningham. Three towers were swept away by floodwaters but have been recovered and will be repaired.

Separately, Kerr County’s new state-mandated public flood sirens — required under a law passed after the 2025 flood and funded through a $50 million state grant program — were tested for the first time this week. Officials say all sirens functioned, with one experiencing a roughly 10-minute activation delay.

Mayor Joe Herring Jr. credited the Upper Guadalupe River Authority’s improved flood warning systems with saving lives at Thursday’s press conference: “We were blessed in Kerr County with warnings.”

State and regional response

Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday that approximately 2,350 emergency responders, more than 1,400 vehicles, 85 boats and 21 aircraft have been deployed in the Hill Country response, with more than 230 rescues completed. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller declared a state agricultural emergency Thursday, activating state resources to help farms and ranches across Central and South Texas — a significant development given Kerr County’s ranching economy.

County calls special meeting

Kerr County Commissioners’ Court has called a special meeting for Friday at 10 a.m., in addition to a previously scheduled budget workshop at the same time. County Judge Rob Kelly’s disaster declaration cites severe storms and flooding beginning July 12 that continue to impact the county, along with widespread damage, injuries, loss of life, and an imminent threat to people and property.

Roads and bridges

• Highway 16 between Kerrville and Fredericksburg has reopened, per the Gillespie County Sheriff’s Office.
• Arcadia Loop Bridge, near the confluence of Goat Creek and the Guadalupe River, has a roughly 50-foot section washed away.
• Anderson Ranch Bridge (Junction Highway), Ingram Hills Road Bridge, and Henderson Branch Bridge (SH-173/Bandera Highway) remain washed out.
• Main Street and Water Street bridges remain covered in debris after Town Creek overflowed.
• Texas 39 remains closed from Ingram to U.S. 83. Highway 39 Bridge sustained significant washout damage, temporarily stabilized by TxDOT.
• Interstate 10 West remains closed at mile marker 589. Portions of Highway 27 and Medina Highway also remain closed.
• Numerous Center Point roads remain flooded or impassable: River Road, Sutherland Road, Rancho Road, Indian Creek Road, Spur 100, Old Harper Highway.
• For the most current state highway conditions, check DriveTexas.org directly.

Parks and trails closed — not safe

The Kerrville River Trail, all trailheads, and all river parks — including Louise Hays Park and Tranquility Island — remain closed while damage assessments continue, with 4- to 6-foot drop-offs, debris-covered and unstable paths, and missing or damaged bridges. The National Weather Service is separately warning residents to stay out of floodwaters altogether.

Trash and recycling suspended through the week

Republic Services has suspended residential trash and recycling collection in Kerrville for the rest of the week. No makeup collection over the weekend; normal service resumes Monday. The Landfill/Transfer Station at 3315 Loop 534 has reopened, back to normal hours.

A fatality confirmed

The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed one fatality in the county. The Lead is continuing to confirm additional details before publishing further specifics.

Hill Country Arts Foundation spared further damage

The Hill Country Arts Foundation in Ingram, heavily damaged in last year’s flood, largely escaped Thursday’s flooding. Guadalupe River water reached the outdoor stage — already damaged from 2025 — but did not cause additional harm. Johnson Creek came within inches of the art gallery’s back porch, but that was the extent of the impact.

A fire department rebuilds, again

Center Point Volunteer Fire Department says Thursday’s flood washed away and destroyed everything left in its station. Volunteers have been cleaning up, and the department is running command operations out of the ruins. “We will rebuild our CPVFD Station — again,” the department said, and is accepting donations toward the rebuild.

Search and rescue support

Cajun Navy 2016 has deployed trained, swift-water-rescue-certified volunteers to the Center Point area, coordinating with local officials — the group’s second engagement in Kerr County after also assisting during the 2025 flood.

A small business owner needs help — today

The owner of Green Grocer, on Water Street, is cleaning up flood damage alone — no family in town, no cleaning supplies, no tools, no volunteers. He needs bleach, rags, shovels, carpet-cutting blades, blowers and hands on deck. He has no social media of his own, and he told The Lead he’s on the verge of not reopening. If you can help, show up at Green Grocer on Water Street.

Pets Alive mobilizes flood relief

Kerrville Pets Alive mobilized staff and volunteers Thursday to coordinate lost and found pet reports and assist affected pet owners, standing up a centralized flood pet database. The organization partnered with Austin Pets Alive to move 20 unclaimed shelter animals to Austin within two hours, freeing up local shelter space, and delivered pet crates and supplies to City West Church and Calvary Temple.

Kerr County Animal Control has space for pets of evacuated or displaced residents at 199 Spur 100 (use the second covered Sally port at the back of the building; ask for Noe, 830-739-2483). Kerrville Pets Alive’s general line for lost/found pets and owner assistance is 830-200-0539. Kerr County Animal Services can be reached at 830-257-3100. Loving Texas Pet Assistance has sanctuary space available for livestock, dogs and cats off FM 1273, though access is currently limited by low-water crossings; contact 830-201-0606.

Community Foundation launches regional fund

The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has launched the Texas Hill Country Flood Relief Fund, expanding its response beyond Kerr County to a broader multi-county region. Foundation officials say donations to last year’s Kerr County-specific fund will not be commingled with the new one. (Full story available separately.)

Shelter and reunification

• Calvary Temple Church — 3000 TX-534 Loop, Kerrville
• City West Church — 3139 Junction Highway, Ingram
• Center Point ISD Gymnasium — 215 China St., Center Point

All Kerr County summer camps have been contacted and all campers are confirmed safe, per KCSO.

How to help

• Kerr Together (kerrtogether.com, 98 Coronado Dr. N., Kerrville, 830-315-1002) — KTDRC hours Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. A “Register as a Spontaneous Volunteer” sign-up is now live on their site.
• Report storm damage: damage.tdem.texas.gov (iSTAT, available in English and Spanish).
• Volunteer: Stephanie Hodges, shodges@gem.org, 830-255-7433.
• Material donations: Dave Parker, dparker@gem.org, 903-240-3516.
• Business financial assistance: LiftFund, agonzalez@liftfund.com; PeopleFund, Drexel.King@PeopleFund.org.
• Center Point Volunteer Fire Department — accepting donations to rebuild its station.
• AWS Freeman-Fritts Animal Shelter & Clinic — $2,500 donor match; donate online or at 515 Spur 100, Kerrville; 830-257-4144.
• Green Grocer, Water Street — needs supplies and volunteers in person.

Emotional support

MHDD’s Emotional Support Center, 819 Water Street inside the One Schreiner Center, first floor, Suite 170, offers free licensed counseling, a children’s calming area, and care coordinators. Walk in or call (830) 955-1745. Hill Country MHDD Crisis Line: 1-877-466-0660. National 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988. Annie’s Helping Hands Foundation is at the Center Point Historical Society, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, Sunday and Monday.

What’s open

Kerrville Hills Winery, Vecino’s, Cardoshinky’s, Brewtopia, Kerrville Ranch & Pet, Brown’s Drive In, McCoy’s (flood relief pricing), 323 Bakery, Elevate Pure Foods, Watertree, Bumdoodlers, Dickey’s BBQ, El Bracero, Pint and Plow, Cracker Barrel, Jersey Mike’s, SALT Wellness, The Boat, 18 Hole Simulator Golf, Grape Juice, Billy Gene’s (first responders eat free), Café at the Ridge, Off Main (opens noon), Classics, BEST Resale, 5 Star Rental, Hunter House Café, Hill Country Café, Seeds at Roddy Tree Ranch (first responders eat free), Cailloux Box Office, Dietert Center, Next Generation Wellness, Central Provisions, Water St. Antiques, Apothecary Shop, Mamacita’s, La Tapatia, PAX, Wahoo’s, Hometown Crafts, Wilsons, Howdy’s and JC Penney’s are all open.

Mercy Chefs is serving free, hot, chef-prepared drive-thru meals for flood-affected families at 3122 Junction Hwy, Ingram, daily from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and says it will announce additional distribution locations as needs are assessed.

Shim’s Be Blessed food trailer is serving burgers at the Dietert Center starting at 11 a.m. until gone. First Presbyterian Church’s pop-up drive-thru market is scheduled for Saturday, July 18, starting at 9 a.m.

This notebook will be updated throughout the day.