BREAKING: Flash Flood Emergency Declared in Central Texas — Entire Towns Underwater as Guadalupe River Surges

An extreme weather crisis is unfolding across parts of Central Texas tonight as a flash flood emergency has been officially declared for Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt, and Waltonia. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued the rare, life-threatening alert as torrential rain continues to pound the region, triggering widespread flooding and chaos on the ground.

A River Rising at Alarming Speeds

The Guadalupe River, already swollen from recent storms, has risen dramatically over the past several hours. In just 60 minutes, more than 2 inches of rain fell across the area—and meteorologists warn that an additional 3 to 4 inches could fall before morning.

Emergency sirens have sounded in multiple towns, with law enforcement urging residents in flood-prone areas to evacuate immediately. Low-lying neighborhoods have already been overtaken by water, and the situation is expected to worsen overnight as the river continues to surge beyond its banks.

Roads Washed Out, Power Failing, Boats Deployed

Video footage posted to social media shows fast-moving water sweeping across highways, submerging entire streets, and surrounding homes. Rescue crews are now using boats to reach stranded families. In Kerrville, several mobile home parks and rural roads are fully submerged, with first responders working through the night to assist trapped residents.

As of 10:00 p.m., multiple power outages have been confirmed in parts of Kerr and Gillespie counties, affecting thousands of homes. Downed power lines and flooding have made access nearly impossible in some communities, forcing emergency crews to rely on helicopters and inflatable rafts.

Local Officials Sound the Alarm

Officials from the Kerr County Office of Emergency Management have released an urgent statement:

“This is not a typical flood. This is a life-threatening event. If you live near a creek, river, or low-lying road, do not wait. Get to higher ground immediately.”

They are also warning residents not to attempt to drive across flooded roads—a mistake that has already led to multiple water rescues throughout the day.

Why This Flood Is Different

Unlike typical flash floods that dissipate after a brief burst of rain, this event is being driven by prolonged, intense rainfall on already saturated soil. According to KXAN meteorologists, rainfall rates between 1 to 2 inches per hour are expected to persist through the early morning, which could push rivers and streams to historic flood levels.

“This is a worst-case scenario in terms of timing and geography,” said one local weather expert. “Nighttime flooding is especially dangerous because it reduces visibility and delays response time.”

Stay Connected — Lives Depend On It

Residents in the affected areas are being told to monitor emergency alerts through the FEMA app, local radio broadcasts, or county social media pages. Officials have also activated local shelters for evacuees in nearby schools and churches that sit on higher ground.

This is an evolving and dangerous situation. Stay tuned for minute-by-minute developments, evacuation routes, emergency shelter information, and video coverage from the ground.