An emergency situation unfolded in Texas on the Fourth of July as deadly flooding brought on by torrential rains caused the Guadalupe River to quickly rise. Deaths were reported in Kerr County, and water submerged roads in Kerrville, a town of 25,000 around 60 miles northwest of San Antonio, officials said.
‘Catastrophic flooding’
“This is a catastrophic flooding event in Kerr County. We can confirm fatalities, but will not release further information until next of kin are notified,” the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement on social media. “The entire county is an extremely active scene.”
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Authorities warned against travel and called on residents to seek shelter. They said anyone near bodies of water and the river should move to higher ground.
Flash flood warnings were in effect after up to 11 inches of rain fell in some areas by 9 a.m. on Friday, July 4, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), with more rain forecasted to come at the time.
“This is a very dangerous and life-threatening flood event along the Guadalupe River! Move to higher ground!,” the NWS said.
River rises to second highest level ever recorded
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The water level in the Guadalupe River in western Kerr County, Texas, reached more than 29 feet during a flood on July 4, 2025. It was the second-highest water level ever recorded in that river.
The warning came as the Guadalupe River in western Kerry County had reached the second highest level ever recorded with water reaching more than 29 feet, earlier in the morning. The numbers surpassed water levels in the 1987 Guadalupe River Flood in the same area, which killed 10 teens traveling as part of a church group in a van and bus near Comfort, Texas, as reported by the NWS.
In central Texas, flood waters also washed out an intersection and led to flooded out homes, in what officials called “life-threatening” conditions.
Evacuations ordered
Mandatory evacuations were also issued in Comfort, Texas, for residents near the river on Friday morning.
“We regret to inform everyone that the flood situation in Comfort is not improving,” the Comfort Volunteer Fire Department announced at 11 a.m. “We have sounded the flood sirens and urged all residents in low-lying areas of town to evacuate immediately.”
Authorities and first responders in Kerrville helped locals evacuate, with a reunification site set up at a Walmart and a church used as a makeshift shelter.
Disaster declaration
The Mayor of Kerrville made a disaster declaration in response to the flood. So far, the identities or exact number of fatalities as well as people who are still missing. However, the city of Kerrville confirmed deaths and missing people as a result of the flash flooding and announced rescue efforts were underway.
“Search and recovery efforts are ongoing and will increase as the waters recede,” read an announcement from the city’s social media page.
The city called off its Independence Day celebration because of the “catastrophic” flooding.
