Texas Flood Fury A Sleeping Giant Awakens!

Article Heading: The Catastrophic Deluge in Texas Hill Country: A Timeline of Tragedy

The devastating floods that ravaged Texas Hill Country during the Fourth of July holiday weekend left a trail of heartbreak and destruction. For many families, warnings came too late, as a seemingly normal night transformed into a nightmare. This is the story of what happened in the hours before, during, and after the catastrophic deluge.

In a region accustomed to extreme weather, the initial storms were met with a sense of familiarity. Caroline Cutrona, a counselor at Camp Mystic, described the scene: "I thought it was just lightning and thunderstorm. I had no idea of the severity."

However, the situation rapidly escalated. State emergency management officials had activated response resources as early as Wednesday evening, anticipating potential flooding. Alerts grew increasingly dire, with the National Weather Service (NWS) providing preliminary lead times of more than three hours before flash flooding conditions occurred.

The Unfolding Disaster

The pristine Guadalupe River was transformed into a raging torrent, unleashing its fury in the predawn hours of Independence Day. The impact was devastating:

• At least 103 lives lost in Kerr County alone, including 36 children.
• The confirmed death toll in Texas reached 129.
• Approximately 150 people remain missing statewide, with at least 140 in Kerr County.

Overnight, an extraordinary amount of rain fell, causing the river to swell from approximately 3 feet to a staggering 30 feet in just 45 minutes. Neighborhoods, RV parks, and youth camps were swept away, leaving communities in disarray. As Cutrona recounted, "The first thing I thought, ‘This is not real. Wake up, Caroline. Wake up.’”

A Detailed Timeline of Events

To understand the magnitude of the disaster, let's examine a detailed timeline of events:

Wednesday, July 2

6:29 p.m. CT: The Texas Division of Emergency Management announced the activation of state emergency response resources, warning of increased flood threats in West and Central Texas. Residents were urged to prepare emergency plans and supply kits.

Thursday, July 3

6:36 a.m. CT: The National Weather Service (NWS) issued short-term guidance indicating morning thunderstorms and the potential for flooding rainfall.

7:00 a.m. CT: The NWS released a flood outlook, noting the possibility of flash or river flooding in parts of Central Texas.

10:00 a.m. CT: County judges and city mayors were invited to a daily call to discuss weather forecasts. According to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, regional coordinators contacted officials in the area to ensure they were aware of the flood risk. However, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. stated he did not receive a call.

1:18 p.m. CT: The NWS issued a flood watch, highlighting Kerrville as being at risk of flash flooding through the night into Friday. The forecast predicted 5 to 7 inches of rainfall.

6:30 p.m. CT: The NWS updated its forecast for the Guadalupe River, warning of rapid runoff and the potential for a historic rainfall event. However, it remains unclear whether this messaging reached emergency managers.

Midnight CT: Glenn Juenke, a Camp Mystic staffer, reported that many rain gauges on the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority's website were offline or provided no information.

Friday, July 4

1:14 a.m. CT: The NWS issued a flash flood warning for parts of Kerr County, upgrading the earlier watch.

2:30 a.m. CT: Lorena Guillen, an RV park owner, called the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office to inquire about potential risks to her tenants. She was reportedly assured they would be safe.

3:00 a.m. CT: At Camp Mystic, campers evacuated to higher ground as water levels rapidly rose.

3:27 a.m. CT: A local firefighter reported high water on the main highway to Hunt, Texas.

3:30 a.m. CT: Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice stated that first responders were being swept away by floodwaters.

3:50 a.m. CT: Dispatchers received multiple calls from people along State Highway 39 reporting flooded homes.

4:00 a.m. CT: Camp Mystic counselor Caroline Cutrona described the violent shaking of her cabin and the loss of power.

4:03 a.m. CT: The NWS issued a flash flood emergency warning for Kerr County, urging residents to move to higher ground immediately.

4:22 a.m. CT: A firefighter requested a CodeRED emergency alert be issued to Hunt residents.

4:45 a.m. CT: A gauge along the Guadalupe River in Kerrville recorded water levels at 23.4 feet, although the actual crest was likely higher.

5:00 a.m. CT: The river burst its banks, sweeping away homes, cars, and camps.

5:03 a.m. CT: Kerr Fire dispatch reported a car with occupants floating down the river.

5:30 a.m. CT: Kendall County sent the first wireless emergency message for a flood warning.

5:32 a.m. CT: A unit identified as “Utility 51” inquired about incident command, only to learn that there wasn't one at that time.

5:34 a.m. CT: The NWS issued a more dire flash flood emergency warning for Kerrville.

5:57 a.m. CT: The US Coast Guard received an initial call, but their launch was delayed due to weather conditions.

6:00 a.m. CT: Mayor Herring Jr. received an alert on his phone from the CodeRED system.

6:02 a.m. CT: Law enforcement officers in Kerr County issued evacuation orders.

6:31 a.m. CT: Kerr County posted on social media, urging people to move to higher ground and avoid driving through water.

8:30 a.m. CT: The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office confirmed fatalities in the catastrophic flooding event.

10:04 a.m. CT: Reports indicated that CodeRED Alerts were not sent to some residents until this time.

11:59 a.m. CT: Kerr County officials declared a disaster due to the life-threatening flooding.

6:30 p.m. CT: The US Coast Guard's MH-65 air crew arrived and began rescuing survivors. The last live rescue was made on Friday.

Aftermath and Reflection

The aftermath of the floods has been marked by agonizing searches for missing victims and debates over whether more could have been done to prevent the tragedy. Local officials maintain they did everything possible.

The catastrophic floods in Texas Hill Country serve as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the importance of preparedness. While forecasting and emergency response systems have advanced significantly, this event underscores the need for continuous improvement, clear communication, and community resilience in the face of extreme weather events. It is a somber moment for reflection, learning, and a renewed commitment to protecting lives and communities in vulnerable regions.

Tags: Texas floods, Hill Country, Flash floods, Storm warning, Extreme weather, Weather alerts, Emergency response, Camp Mystic, July 4th, Torrential rain

Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/12/us/timeline-texas-flooding