The Texas Hill Country is once again grappling with severe flash flooding, as heavy rainfall has caused the Guadalupe and Pedernales rivers to surge. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued multiple flash flood emergencies a rare warning reserved for life-threatening situations. This comes just over a year after the devastating July 4 weekend floods that claimed more than 130 lives in the region.

The current flooding has prompted a swift response from local authorities and state leaders, who are pointing to the impact of legislation passed in the aftermath of last year’s floods. The state has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in flood mitigation and disaster preparedness, including the installation of flood warning sirens and the expansion of weather monitoring infrastructure.

New Safety Laws Put to the Test

In the wake of last year’s tragic floods, the Texas Legislature passed measures to enhance safety for youth camps, fund flood warning sirens, and expand weather monitoring infrastructure. State Sen. Charles Perry who authored several of the Legislature’s flood-related measures, highlighted the quick implementation of new safety requirements for youth camps. “One of the parents actually texted me and said the kids are safer today because of that bill,” Perry said.

State Sen. Paul Bettencourt noted on social media that flood warning sirens were activated in Kerr County this morning due to heavy rainfall. These sirens, he said, “gave those that heard them and others downstream notice to get to higher ground immediately.” Perry also emphasized that the state’s flood response is a long-term effort built over multiple legislative sessions.

Residents Share Their Experiences

Residents in the Hill Country have shared their experiences as flooding continued on Thursday morning. Stuart Gross the code enforcement officer in Ingram told Houston Public Media that the damage is more significant than the catastrophic July 4 floods that hit the area last year. “My neighborhood, I’ve lived there a long, long, long, long time. I’ve never seen it flood. It flooded today,” Gross said.

Tim Crenwelge former mayor of Fredericksburg also stated that the flooding is worse than what he experienced last year. “The water came up, but not at this height,” he said, referring to last year. “It’s just unbelievable, but if everybody heeded the warning signs and got out, I don’t think we’ll see the deaths. But destruction, it could be there again.”

Christian Blood who lives outside of Kerrville recounted how the threat of tornadoes prompted him to seek shelter. “What led me to get my family out of our home and go to a parking garage in Kerrville was multiple late night and/or early morning tornado warnings in Uvalde” he said.

The Pedernales River Reaches Historic Levels

The Pedernales River in Fredericksburg reached 34 feet just before 10 a.m. on Thursday, according to the Lower Colorado River Authority. This is the highest flood stage since June of 1979 according to the NWS. Forecasters predict the river could crest at nearly 35 feet later in the morning. The river’s banks jumped from just 9 feet at 4 a.m. to nearly 33 feet in just five hours.

The NWS has cautioned residents to seek higher ground in affected areas along both the Guadalupe and Pedernales rivers. The rivers are likely to have “multiple crests” on Thursday, meaning the water levels could subside briefly before another surge of floodwater. “This can create a false sense of security, as rivers are likely to experience a brief recession before the next flood wave arrives,” the NWS said on social media.

The Austin Fire Department has sent one swift boat team and two members of its Helicopter Search and Rescue Team to assist Kerrville after potentially catastrophic overnight flooding. Additionally, the city of Kerrville is encouraging residents to reduce water use as a precaution after issues at its water plant.

Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly has signed a local disaster declaration, activating the county’s emergency management plan. Kelly also sent a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott requesting further assistance. “The impact of this threat has damaged local roads and sewer systems as well as flooded several homes, schools, and structures,” Kelly said. “I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that an effective response is beyond the capability of Kerr County to control.”

The NWS has issued multiple flash flood emergencies across the region, a rare designation reserved for “severe threat to human life” and expected “catastrophic damage.” Emergency shelters have been opened in Kerr County for evacuees, and a shelter-in-place order is in effect for the city of Kerrville.