Flash Flood — Kerr, Texas

2025-07-04 · near Hunt, Kerr, Texas

Event narrative

There was catastrophic and deadly flash flooding along the South Fork Guadalupe River after around ten inches of rain fell in approximately four hours. On Hwy 39 the debris started at the confluence of Mullen Creek and South Fork Guadalupe River. The South Fork Guadalupe River topped the Hwy 39 bridge west of Auld Rd. S. and the high-water mark was 23.77 feet above the river. Five feet of water damaged the bottom floor of the River Inn and Resort. There were large sections of the exterior walls removed by water. Water reached 7.5 feet in a house along Hwy 39 which destroyed the building. Water reached the Hunt Volunteer Fire Department station on Fisher Ranch Rd. 400 feet from the river. Heart O'the Hills Camp and many houses nearby were demolished. There was major damage to Crider's Rodeo and Dance Hall. Several homes near Hwy 39 and Rustic Hill Rd. were wiped off their foundations. The Hunt Post Office and the Hunt Store were destroyed. The first floor of a house near the confluence of the North and South Fork flooded and the residents sheltered on the second floor. Another nearby house had only one floor, and the homeowner escaped and floated on a mattress until rescued by a helicopter. Debris damaged the Hwy 39 bridge over the river in Hunt. The river gage at Hunt was destroyed, and the USGS estimated the river crested at a record 37.51 feet. Sixty-one people died in the flood along this stretch of the river, and one was still missing. Twenty-seven of the fatalities were at Camp Mystic, a summer camp for girls, including the owner of the camp, two counselors, and 25 girls ages 8-10 years old. There were 12 fatalities at the Casa Bonita neighborhood where a number of homes were washed away. Most the other fatalities were in homes along the river that were washed away. One man had helped his family escape their house through a bedroom window, but was not able to make it out himself. One person was in a vehicle trying to escape the flood water, but was washed away. Across Kerr County damage to public property and infrastructure was estimated to be $200 million. There was no damage estimate for private property. County officials estimated 2,000 structures were damaged.

Wider weather episode

Tropical Storm Barry moved into and dissipated over eastern Mexico. Moist air from the remnants of Barry moved northward into Texas. Precipitable water values over South-Central Texas increased to near record levels. A mid-level anticyclonic circulation developed and moved over Central Texas providing lift to generate thunderstorms. During the overnight period of July 3-4, a low-level jet streak set up over South Texas and led to training of thunderstorms over the Texas Hill Country. The combination of weather features generated efficient rain making storms that produced 2-3 inches of rain per hour for several hours over the headwaters of the Guadalupe River. Rainfall totals in the area were up to 11 inches which led to catastrophic and deadly flooding along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County. Heavy rain eventually moved eastward causing additional flooding. Flood water killed 117 people in Kerr County and caused an estimated $200 million in damage to public property and infrastructure. There was no estimate for private property damage. Kerr County officials estimated 2,000 structures were damaged or destroyed.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (29.9526, -99.4548)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1287369. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.