News & Current Events
Texas River Bursts Banks: Entire City Submerged, Dozens Dead Or Missing
The Guadalupe River exploded, engulfing multiple Texas cities in a horrific flash flood that has killed at least six people and forced hundreds to escape for their lives.
The small, rural villages of Kerrville and Hunt were overtaken by the Guadalupe River, which surged more than 22 feet in a single night before overflowing its banks.
The whole Kerrville family’s home was destroyed by the violent storm, and at least one family is still missing.
As the region continues to be battered by severe rains, KPRC reporter Gauge Goulding posted video that shows debris being carried down the river by the rushing waves.
After almost 10 inches of rain fell overnight, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood emergency for the whole Kerr County, which is about 90 miles outside of San Antonio.
The Guadalupe River’s water level has already risen to a near-record height of 34 feet this morning due to heavy rainfall.
Residents along the river are being evacuated as authorities warn of “dangerous” and maybe “life-threatening” flooding. ‘Seek higher ground quickly’ is the advice for residents. Â
Until at least 2:00 PM local time on Friday, the area and neighbouring Kendall County are still under an emergency warning.
Floods swept through Kerrville overnight, leaving a father, his wife, and their two kids missing, according to WOAI-TV.
Officials believe the property was carried away by the storm, as the location of the family’s former home is now a vacant lot.
While families were still inside their houses, a law enforcement source informed KEYE-TV that the floods also swept downstream an entire RV park in Ingram.
In a Facebook post on Friday morning, the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office alerted locals to the possibility of “catastrophic flooding.”
The update acknowledged that there had been “fatalities” as a result of the floods, but it did not specify how many people had died.
In order to notify their families, their identities are being kept secret.
According to Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, at least six fatalities have been reported in Kerr County thus far, according to Austin Statesman and KVUE reporter Tony Plohetski.
According to Kelly, several individuals have been rescued, including those in campers and RVs positioned alongside the river.
There have been reports of road closures across Kerrville, where low water crossings are now totally impassable and local streets are inundated.
Following overnight flooding that caused extensive damage, injuries, and fatalities, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. declared a catastrophe.
Those who were affected by the floodwaters are temporarily being reunited inside the city’s Walmart.
A’major outage’ affecting over 2,600 customers in Kerrville, Centre Point, and Hunt was reported by a local electricity company.
Authorities claim that flooding and downed power lines have hindered restoration work.
In the statement, Kerr County Sheriff Larry L. Leitha described the entire county as an “extremely active scene.”
“Our Office is working with a wide variety of local and state agencies to respond to calls and rescues,” Leitha added.
“Residents are encouraged to shelter in place and not attempt travel. Those near creeks, streams, and the Guadalupe River should immediately move to higher ground.”
The severe weather hasn’t had much of an impact on Bexar or San Antonio counties, which are around 90 miles from Kerr County.
Early Friday morning, the National Weather Service (NWS) verified that the Guadalupe River had reached its second-highest height ever.
During a significant flood in 1987, the river’s maximum height was measured at 36 feet.
Although the river’s flood gauge is no longer reporting, KEYE meteorologists think the record has already been broken today.
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