KERRVILLE, Texas – The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office is calling flooding in Kerr County “catastrophic” and says several people are missing and there are at least 13 deaths.
Kerr County flooding
What we know:
Kerr County Sheriff’s Office says it will not release any specific information about fatalities until next of kin are notified.
County officials said several people are missing, including at least 20 campers from a girls-only camp, according to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
It says it is working with a wide variety of local and state agencies to respond to calls and rescues.
Local perspective:
“I grew up here, and I have never seen anything like this in my life,” said Kerrville resident Brooklyn Johnson. “I am very grateful and very glad that nothing of mine got damaged, or my family didn’t get hurt. They are all safe.”
Kerrville resident Amanda Vlasek says she grew up with one of the victims.
“I went to high school with him, and he lost his life this morning. He saved his family. He got them out, but he didn’t make it. Kids are missing. It is scary. I’m glad it is not my family. I feel for them,” says Kerrville resident Amanda Vlasek.
Destruction and damage from the downpour could be seen along the Guadalupe River. Cars and homes were destroyed.
“It is horrible. I haven’t seen it this bad,” says Vlasek.
The mayor of Kerrville has made a disaster declaration for the severe flooding.
“It is very sad, very tragic and obviously praying for the families,” says Johnson.
Where are shelters and centers for those displaced by Hill Country flooding?
The Kerrville Police Department and Kerrville Fire Department are evacuating residents.
The following places have been set up as shelters:
- First United Methodist Church at 321 Thompson Drive
- Calvary Temple Church at 3000 Loop 534
- Notre Dame Catholic Church at 929 Main Street
- Schreiner University Event Center at 2100 Memorial Boulevard
Reunification centers are set up at:
- Ingram Elementary School at 125 Brave Run W in Ingram.
- The Arcadia Live at 717 Water Street
The Red Cross is assisting with reunification efforts. Call 1-800-733-2767 if you are trying to locate someone.
Multiple roads and streets are flooding and are flooded in town including:
- Arcadia Loop
- Most of Thompson Drive
- Guadalupe Street
- Lowry Street
- Herzog and Loop 13
- Rio Robles
- Riverside Drive
- Portions of Broadway
The mayor of Kerrville has made a disaster declaration.
Kerrville Fire Department personnel are monitoring area nursing and assisted living homes as they are sheltering in place at this time.
Kerr County girls camp evacuated due to flooding
FOX 7 Austin reporting partner KSAT reports that Camp Mystic, a girls-only camp on the Guadalupe River, had to be evacuated due to the flooding.
The camp is located west of Kerrville.
While the majority of campers have been accounted for, at a news conference, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says at least 20 campers are missing.
Governor Abbott releases statement on flooding
Governor Greg Abbott released a statement about the Hill Country flooding. It is as follows:
“Texas is providing all necessary resources to Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt and the entire Texas Hill Country dealing with these devastating floods.”
“The State of Texas today has mobilized additional resources in addition to the resources sent in preparation for the storms. I urge Texans to heed guidance from state and local officials and monitor local forecasts to avoid driving into flooded areas.”
“Ahead of the storms, the State of Texas activated emergency response resources in Central Texas in preparation for continued heavy rainfall and flash flooding threats.”
Dig deeper:
The Kerrville Public Utility Board says there are widespread power outages.
Impacted areas include southeast Kerrville, Center Point and Hunt.
KPUB crews are currently restoring power to accessible areas, but some locations remain unreachable due to active flooding and hazardous road conditions.
The Hunt Substation is flooded though it remains inaccessible for a full damage assessment at this time.
KPUB also believes that power lines crossing the rivers near Riverhill and Center Point are down.
What you can do:
Officials say the entire county is an “extremely active scene.”
Residents are asked to shelter in place and not to travel.
People who are near creeks, steams and the Guadalupe River are asked to immediately move to higher ground.
Stay out of flooded areas and do not drive through water.
Do not call 9-1-1 to ask for updates.
The Source: Information from Kerrville Public Utility Board, Kerr County Sheriff’s Office and Kerrville Police Department.
