Texas’ Guadalupe River bursts banks and drowns multiple people as city begins to disappear underwater

A deadly flash flood has left at least six people dead and thousands fleeing for their lives after the Guadalupe River burst, engulfing several Texas cities.

The Guadalupe River rapidly rose overnight, breaking its banks and overtaking the small, rural towns of Kerrville, Hunt and Seguin.

At least one family is missing after their entire Kerrville home was swept away by the raging storm. 

Video shared by KPRC reporter Gage Goulding shows the rushing waves are carrying debris down the river as heavy rains continued to pound the region. 

The National Weather Service (NWS) declared a flash flood emergency for all of Kerr County, roughly 90 miles outside of San Antonio, after nearly 10 inches of rain fell overnight.

Heavy rainfall caused the Guadalupe River to rise rapidly, with the water level having already reached a near-record height of 34 inches this morning.

Evacuations are under way for locals living along the river, with authorities warning the of a ‘dangerous’ and potentially ‘life-threatening’ floods. Residents are urged to ‘seek higher ground immediately’.  

The emergency warning remains in effect for the area, as well as nearby Kendall County, until at least 12pm local time Friday.

SEGUIN, TX: The Guadalupe River has risen to a height of 34 inches after Kerr County, Texas was pounded with more than 10 inches of rain overnight

KERRVILLE, TX: Evacuations are under way for locals living along the river, with authorities warning the of a ‘dangerous’ and potentially ‘life-threatening’ floods

A Kerrville man, his wife and their two children are missing after floods rushed through their neighborhood overnight, WOAI-TV reports.

The area where the family’s home once stood is now a vacant lot, with officials suspecting the property was swept away by the storm.

Road closures have been reported across Kerrville, where the local streets are flooded and low water crossings now completely impassable. 

The city has issued a disaster declaration and the local Walmart is being used as a temporary reunification center for those displaced by the floods. 

A local utility company also reported a ‘major outage’ in the nearby city of Hunt, roughly 13 miles west of Kerrville. 

The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office warned residents of a ‘catastrophic flooding’ event in a Facebook post Friday morning.

The update confirmed there have been ‘fatalities’ due to the floods, but did not disclose the number of people killed. 

Their identities are being withheld pending family notification.

KERRVILLE, TX: A husband, wife and their two children are missing after their entire Kerrville home was swept away by the raging storm. The missing father’s brother visited the vacant lot where the family’s home once stood early Friday morning

KERRVILLE, TX: The Guadalupe River rose to its second-highest height on record early Friday morning, completely engulfing much of Kerr County, Texas

KERR COUNTY, TX: The rushing Guadalupe River carries debris downstream as heavy rains flood the river banks and cause raging floods

Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly told KVUE and Austin Statesman reporter Tony Plohetski that at least six deaths have been recorded across Kerr County so far.

Multiple people have been rescued, including those in RVs and campers stationed along the river, Kelly reportedly said. 

All of Kerr County is considered to be an ‘extremely active scene’, Kerr County Sheriff Larry L. Leitha said in the statement.

‘Our Office is working with a wide variety of local and state agencies to respond to calls and rescues,’ Leitha added.

‘Residents are encouraged to shelter in place and not attempt travel. Those near creeks, streams, and the Guadalupe River should immediately move to higher ground.’

San Antonio and Bexar counties, both roughly 90 miles away from Kerr County, have remained relatively unaffected by the wicked weather.

The Guadalupe River has risen to its second-highest height on record, the National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed early Friday morning.

The river’s highest height was 36 feet, recorded during a major flood in 1987.

Meteorologists at KEYE-TV believe the record has already been surpassed today, but note the river’s flood gauge is no longer reporting.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates. 

KERR COUNTY, TX: Water rises from severe flooding along the Guadalupe River on Friday

KERR COUNTY, TX: All of Kerr County is considered to be an ‘extremely active scene’ this morning, the sheriff has warned