Your guide to Kerr County's recovery from July 16 flood

Kerr County woke up Friday to clearer skies but a long list of closed roads, damaged infrastructure and recovery work still ahead, one day after a flash flood emergency killed at least one person and devastated parts of Kerrville and Center Point. Here’s what we’re tracking today, updated as we get it.

Weather

A National Weather Service flood warning for Kerr County remains in effect until 6 p.m. Friday. NWS and Kerrville Police both noted a chance of additional showers or storms this morning before conditions improve this afternoon.

All camps confirmed safe

The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Friday that all Kerr County summer camps have been contacted and all campers are safe.

Power restored

Kerrville Public Utility Board has restored power to all but one customer countywide, a dramatic turnaround from Thursday’s peak of more than 2,500 outages. Overnight, crews used a Can-Am side-by-side and an alternate route across back roads and private property to reach damaged equipment and restore 82 customers in the Cade Loop and Connie Lane area alone.

Trash and recycling suspended through the week

Republic Services has suspended residential trash and recycling collection in Kerrville for the rest of the week because of ongoing roadway hazards and closures. Thursday’s garbage and Friday’s recycling pickups are both affected, with no makeup collection over the weekend; normal service resumes Monday. The Landfill/Transfer Station at 3315 Loop 534 has reopened, back to normal hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-4:50 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

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. Check the county’s Public Notices page for the agenda. The county’s disaster declaration, signed by County Judge Rob Kelly, 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. The county has requested state and federal assistance.

Roads and bridges

City of Kerrville (KPD, 9:25 a.m. update, not exhaustive):

Sidney Baker Street bridge: remains closed
Francisco Lemos Street and G Street bridges: both reopened
Goat Creek Road: closed from the low-water crossing before the KOA to FM 501
Cade Loop bridge, Ingram: damaged, not passable
State Highway 39: closed past Ingram (to U.S. 83)
State Highway 16: closed at Friendship Lane in Gillespie County; detour via I-10 to SH 87 to reach Fredericksburg

Town Creek corridor, street by street (KPD):

Not passable: Fourth Street Crossing, Park Street Crossing, West Schreiner to Town Creek Road, Bluebonnet Drive to Town Creek Road, most of Town Creek Road within city limits, and Arcadia Loop from Junction Highway (alternate access via the parking lot at 1905 A Junction Highway).

Passable with caution: Alpine Drive Crossing, Third Street Crossing, Second and Lytle Crossing, First Street Crossing, East Main Crossing, and Landfill Road Crossing.

Additional damage, not full closures: the 700 block of Lake Drive and the 700-800 block of Lake Drive.

Kerr County (Road & Bridge Department, official, as of 3:15 p.m. Thursday):

Active flood closures: Kelly Street (Center Point), Henderson Branch Road, Camino Real, Skyline, Swayze, Upper Turtle Creek, Calcote, Spur 100, Hoot Owl Hollow, Bear Creek at Sheppard Rees Road, Hermann Sons Road, Lane Valley, Center Point Drive, Schladoer Road, Cade Loop, Rio Vista, Waltonia and Kelly Creek Road, Cherry Ridge, West Creek Road, Fall Creek Road, Goat Creek Cutoff, Camp Verde, Saw Mill, Thrill Hill and Deer Run.

Water-over-road, status still pending: Brinks, Crossing Street, Dowling Road, Bear Creek Road at Arcadia Loop, Town Creek, Ingram Hills Road low-water crossing, Henderson Branch, Byas Springs, Homilius and Ehlers.

Reopened: Ranchero and Monroe. The Cade Loop Bridge repair project has no confirmed start date and is pending FEMA approval, but the bridge remains the county’s designated emergency evacuation route regardless of repair timing.

State highways (TxDOT): Highway 39 Bridge sustained significant washout damage, temporarily stabilized by TxDOT. Portions of Highway 27 and Medina Highway also remain closed. Interstate 10 West was closed at mile marker 589 following a major crash amid hazardous conditions, separate from direct flood damage. DriveTexas.org has the most current state highway conditions.

Parks and trails closed — not safe

The City of Kerrville says the Kerrville River Trail, all trailheads, and all river parks — including Louise Hays Park and Tranquility Island — remain closed while damage assessments continue, citing 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, citing sharp debris, sewage, oil and harmful bacteria.

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 volunteers to the Center Point area to assist with swift-water rescue and recovery, coordinating with local officials.

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 on the historic Ingram institution.

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.

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

How to help

Kerr Together (kerrtogether.com, 98 Coronado Dr., Kerrville, 830-315-1002) is coordinating rebuilding and resiliency efforts countywide.
Report storm damage at damage.tdem.texas.gov (TDEM iSTAT system).
Volunteer opportunities: Stephanie Hodges, shodges@gem.org, 830-255-7433.
Material donations: Dave Parker, dparker@gem.org, 903-240-3516.
Business financial assistance: Adriene Gonzalez, LiftFund, agonzalez@liftfund.com; Drexel King, PeopleFund, Drexel.King@PeopleFund.org.
Center Point Volunteer Fire Department is accepting donations to rebuild its station.
AWS Freeman-Fritts Animal Shelter & Clinic has a $2,500 donor match — every dollar currently doubled. Donate online or at 515 Spur 100, Kerrville.
Kerrville Pets Alive has a lost-and-found pet database: https://form.jotform.com/261965013564055.
Green Grocer, Water Street — needs cleaning supplies, tools and volunteers directly, in person.

Emotional support

MHDD’s Emotional Support Center, 819 Water Street inside the One Schreiner Center, first floor, Suite 170, offers free services including licensed mental health professionals, a children’s calming area, and care coordinators. Walk in or call (830) 955-1745.

The Hill Country MHDD Crisis Line is available at 1-877-466-0660, or reach the National 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by call or text.

Annie’s Helping Hands Foundation is operating out of the Center Point Historical Society, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, Sunday and Monday.

What’s open

Kerrville Hills Winery at Schreiner University, Vecino’s, Cardoshinky’s, Brewtopia, Kerrville Ranch & Pet, Brown’s Drive In, McCoy’s (flood relief pricing), 323 Bakery (7:30 a.m.-2 p.m.), 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, and Grape Juice are all open. Billy Gene’s is open and offering first responders free meals. Shim’s Be Blessed food trailer is serving burgers at the Dietert Center starting 11 a.m. until gone. First Presbyterian Church is holding a pop-up drive-thru market starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday.

From Thursday’s press conference

Mayor Joe Herring Jr. credited the Upper Guadalupe River Authority’s improved flood warning systems with saving lives: “We were blessed in Kerr County with warnings.” Public Works crews are actively working on debris removal across the city.

This notebook will be updated throughout the day.