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 Kerrville to the Kendall County line. In Kerrville, most of the homes on Loop 13 were flooded, debris damaged the guardrail on the G St. bridge, and an apartment complex and cottages along G St. E. were damaged or destroyed by flood water. Water reached 6.5 feet inside the Center Point VFD station on Kelly St. 700 feet from the river. Ten people died in the flooding along this part of the river, and one was still missing. Most of the fatalities were people in homes that were flooded. One person was a vehicle that it is believed was swept off a bridge in Center Point. The vehicle was found a few miles downstream of the bridge. 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.

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.