Flooding threat continues in South Texas at start of holiday | Weather Impact Alert

SAN ANTONIO — IMPACT DAYS: Morning of Friday, July 4

Reason: Potential for locally heavy downpours, especially in the Hill Country and counties west of San Antonio.

A very dangerous situation has unfolded in Kerr County as 5-10″ of rainfall has been estimated over the last 4-7 hours across south-central Kerr County. “Low water crossings are flooded & the Guadalupe River at Hunt has reached major flood stage.”

A Flash Flood Emergency has been issued for areas including Kerrville, Ingram and Center Point until 12 p.m.

The flooding at Guadalupe River at Hunt has reached the 2nd highest height on record, higher than the 1987 flood. “This is a very dangerous and life-threatening flood event along the river,” according to NWS. They advise to move to higher ground.

“The river is expected to rise to a crest of 33.9 feet this morning,” NWS says. At 32 feet, disastrous life-threatening flooding puts water over the roads of lowest camps and resorts from the headwaters of the North and South Forks to below Comfort. Much of Highways 27 and 39 will flood as the disastrous flood wave moves downstream over the next several hours.”

A Flood Watch remains in effect for the Hill Country and has been extended until 1 p.m. Friday. Pockets of heavy rain are expected to continue and may result in flooding of low-lying areas, rivers/creeks, and low water crossings.

The watch is in effect for Bexar, Kendall, Val Verde, Edwards, Real, Kerr, Bandera, Kinney, Uvalde and Medina counties until 7 a.m. on Friday—the Fourth of July, when millions of drivers are expected to hit the roads, per AAA Texas. Isolated rainfall amounts of up to 7 inches are possible in some communities, and rivers, creeks and streams could overflow. 

The NWS says thunderstorms may produce heavy rain and gusty wind at times. 

The communities under the Flood Watch face a Level 2 out of 4 risk for excessive rainfall resulting in flash flooding. 

There is a chance for scattered rain over the next several days, including early on July the Fourth. It should be partly cloudy with a temps in the upper to mid-80s at 9 p.m. for fireworks shows on the holiday. 

A Flood Watch is issued when flooding is possible. It’s different from a Flood Warning, which NWS issues when hazardous flooding is actively happening. 

This is a developing weather event. Refresh the page for the latest updates.