Flash Flood in Kerr County, Texas

There was catastrophic and deadly flash flooding along the Guadalupe River after around ten inches of rain fell in approximately four hours over the headwaters of the river. The flood wave moved downstream from Hunt to Kerrville. An NWS Flood Survey team found water in some houses along the Guadalupe downstream of Hunt reached eight feet. Numerous homes were flooded in the Bumble Bee Hills subdivision. Water reached as high as 5.5 feet in houses. The Cade Loop bridge over the Guadalupe was shifted by flood water. The guardrail and roadway of the Indian Creek Rd. bridge were damaged. The guardrail was torn away as were pieces of the roadway. Two RV parks and campgrounds in Ingram were wiped away by flood water. There were 46 people killed by flood waters, and one person was still missing. All of the fatalities along this stretch of the river were in the Ingram area and most of them were from the RV parks. One man died when he severed an artery breaking a window to help his family escape their flooded house. 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 or destroyed.

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.