Flooding in Kerr County Texas

paws said:

Yes I am still in Kerrville. I am high and dry but about 1/4 mile from the river. The number of rescue teams here is just phenomenal. They are still searching the river with everything available... boats, helicopters, drones, boots on the ground, sniffer dogs... using thermal imaging on helicopters at night to detect locations of persons. It is all VERY WELL coordinated. I am so pleased with the local, state, and federal response.
Many of our riding roads have been washed out where raging creeks crossed them and left so much debris. It will be quite a while until the area becomes a joy for bikers who enjoy the side roads (me) to ride. They will address the main roads first to get them passable.

This area is a huge mecca for people to come visit and camp. Kerrville puts on a huge 4th of July show every year - free concerts, fireworks, just really spectacular. So, many people flock here. Then there are the many summer Christian youth camps in the area and they were all full except one - they had just finished their first program and were empty - but a counselor still there lost her life. MANY of these camps are right along the Guadalupe River edge. As well.. there are a number of RV parks right along the river. The flooding came down in the middle of the night while everyone was asleep. My phone emergency alerts started going off at 1:30 in the morning and went for all night.

At the 10:00am briefing this morning the fatality number is 59 of which 21 are children I believe they said. The river is entirely polluted with all the debris of the RV camping trailers and vehicles (gasoline, diesel, propane, sewage) along with all the dead animals and homes washed into the river. Many of these camps had horses and some Longhorn cattle as well as other farm animals. Then there are the ranches that raise cattle and exotics. And SO many whitetail and axis deer and antelope in the area. Right now is baby deer season.. I hope the animals were able to sense the danger and get out of the way.
The city has put residents on notice to please limit our water use as they can't use the river water due to the heavy pollution. They do have some deep well resources they have switched to. They have not asked us to boil water - yet - but I expect that's coming.

The area has flooded many times but NOT near to this extent in MANY MANY MANY years they say. The storm system sat right on top of the area for hours, POURING down rain. This was unforeseen by the meteorologists. They said it was much like the Hurricane Harvey rain system that sat still over the Texas Gulf Coast area and caused such horrific flooding, for days. That too could not have been predicted. I was without electricity for 4-1/2 hours and without internet for 36 hours. I am so thankful my electric is back - my home is all-electric. There are still people without. I personally am ready for disasters such as this with generators, food, dog food, and water on hand so am in good shape. I went to this semi-prepper mode during the previous administration in Washington - not knowing what to expect.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers for this Kerrville, Texas area.

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