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Newsweek
5 days ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Devastating Texas Floods Shattered 93-Year Record
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The catastrophic floods that hit central Texas over the weekend caused the Guadalupe River to flood so high it broke a 93-year-old record by nearly a foot. Newsweek reached out to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Austin, which is the forecast region for Hunt, Texas, where the record was set, by phone for comment. Why It Matters On Friday, the NWS issued urgent warnings to people across central Texas amid heavy downpours that resulted in months' worth of rain at once, prompting the Guadalupe River to surge around 25 feet in only 45 minutes. More than a foot of rain lashed the region before the river flooding on Friday afternoon, NWS meteorologist James Wingenroth told Newsweek. The downpours caused rivers to surge with little advance notice. Floodwaters inundated central Texas, sweeping away an RV park with families still inside their vehicles. More than 80 people have died, and search-and-rescue missions continue on Monday as the region is anticipating more rain. What to Know Early data evaluation by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) along the Guadalupe River in Texas show that record river height was reached in at least one location. In Hunt, Texas, preliminary data suggests the Guadalupe River peaked at 37.52 feet on July 4, according to a Facebook post from Harris County meteorologist Jeff Lindner. This breaks the prior record of 36.60 feet by nearly a foot. That record was set on July 2, 1932. The next highest level occurred on July 17, 1987, when the river reached 28.40 feet. During that flood event, 10 campers died when a bus evacuating them from a summer camp near Comfort, Texas, was overtaken by floodwaters. In the post, Lindner pointed out that the top three flood events for this location occurred during July. In Kerrville, Texas, the river peaked at 34.29 feet, which is the third highest on record. The record was set on July 2, 1932, when the river peaked at 39 feet, followed by a flood event on July 17, 1987, where it peaked at 37.72 feet. "The Kerrville gage rose from 1.82 ft at 5:15 am to a peak of 34.29 ft at 6:45 am or 32.47 ft in 1.5 hrs," Lindner said. "With the number of fatalities surpassing 80 on Sunday, this TX flood event appears to be the deadliest non-tropical flood event in American history since the 1979 Big Thompson Canyon Flood in Colorado which claimed 144 lives." Flooding in central Texas remains a possibility on Monday as heavy rain continues to fall. Flooding caused by a flash flood at the Guadalupe River in Kerrville, Texas, is seen on July 5. Flooding caused by a flash flood at the Guadalupe River in Kerrville, Texas, is seen on July 5. Ronaldo Schemidt/Getty What People Are Saying NWS Corpus Christi in a flood warning about the Guadalupe River: "Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. Even 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock you off your feet and a depth of 2 feet will float your car. Never try to walk, swim, or drive through such swift water. If you come upon flood waters, stop, turn around and go another way." NWS Fort Worth in a flood warning: "Numerous roads remain closed due to flooding. Low-water crossings are inundated with water and may be impassable. It will take several hours for all the water from these storms to recede." What Happens Next? Flooding will remain a possibility through mid-week as it will take time for rivers to recede.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Texas Summer Camp Tragedy Reminiscent of Similar Flooding 40 Years Ago
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A flash flooding disaster in 1987 mirrors the horrific event in Central Texas over the weekend that killed more than 80 people, including 27 young campers and their Christian summer camp counselors. Why It Matters On Friday, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued urgent warnings to people across Central Texas amid heavy downpours that resulted in months' worth of rain at once, prompting the Guadalupe River to surge 25 feet in only 45 minutes. More than a foot of rain lashed the region before the river flooding on Friday afternoon, National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist James Wingenroth told Newsweek. The downpours caused rivers to surge with little advance notice. Floodwaters inundated Central Texas, sweeping away an RV park with families still inside their vehicles. More than 80 people have died, and search-and-rescue missions continue on Monday as the region is anticipating up to 10 inches of rainfall throughout the day at some locations. What to Know On Friday, floodwaters rushed through Camp Mystic, creating perilous evacuation conditions in which girls were instructed to hold onto a rope to cross a bridge as floodwaters surged past their knees, The Associated Press reported. Helicopters brought some of the girls to safety, but 27 people died, Camp Mystic confirmed on Monday, including some of the young campers. A photo shows flooding caused by a flash flood at the Guadalupe River in Kerrville, Texas, on July 5, 2025. A photo shows flooding caused by a flash flood at the Guadalupe River in Kerrville, Texas, on July 5, 2025. Ronaldo Schemidt/Getty The 1987 Guadalupe River Flood Flash floods in Texas Hill Country have proved lethal more than once, the Guadalupe River flooding in 1987 in a similar way to this past weekend. The area surrounding the Guadalupe River, part of Texas' so-called "Flash Flood Alley," is known for its susceptibility to fast-forming, deadly floods due to unique geography and weather patterns. The Guadalupe River is bedded with limestone rather than mud, which contributes to its susceptibility to flooding and the fast flow of floodwaters. In 1987, sudden and intense rainfall caused the river to surge at an unprecedented rate in mid-July, leading to a tragedy that killed 10 campers at Pot O' Gold Christian Camp, a summer camp near Comfort, Texas. The campers drowned when their bus attempted to evacuate them and was overtaken by floodwater. In the span of just a few hours, heavy rainfall pushed the Guadalupe River well beyond its banks. The rising waters swept through campsites, inundating cabins and cutting off escape routes. The disaster prompted statewide scrutiny of safety protocols at summer camps near rivers. Decades later, the 1987 Guadalupe River flood looms large due to its parallels with subsequent tragedies. During the devastating flood that hit the region over the weekend, cabins at Camp Mystic also were destroyed and more than two dozen people were killed before evacuations could get everyone to safety. What People Are Saying Elinor Lester, a 13-year-old camper at Camp Mystic who was evacuated by helicopter, said according to a report by The Associated Press: "The camp was completely destroyed. It was really scary." Luther Vanlandingham Jr, a deputy for the Kendall County Sheriff's Office in 1987, said of the flood that year, according to a report by KSAT: "It was just a loud rushing noise. I have never seen the river that high before … Unbelievable how fast it was going." NWS Austin said in a Monday forecast: "There remains a threat of flash flooding from slow moving heavy rains overnight and through the day on Monday somewhere over the watch area. Difficult to pinpoint exact locations where isolated heavier amounts will occur. An uptick in coverage and intensity of scattered showers and storms is possible overnight near the I-35 corridor and eastern Hill Country, developing west through the day on Monday. … Any additional heavy rainfall over hardest hit areas of the past few days will lead to rapid runoff and flash flooding." What Happens Next Numerous flood-related weather alerts remain in place across Central Texas on Monday afternoon. Most of the majorly flooded rivers have receded, though some remain in minor flooding.
Newsweek
04-07-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Urgent Warning Issued Amid Major Texas Floods: 'Move to Higher Ground Now'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists have warned people in Central Texas to move to higher ground on Friday, with the risk of heavy rain causing life-threatening flash floods across the region. As much as 15 inches (38 cm) of rain have been reported north of San Angelo, NWS meteorologist James Wingenroth told Newsweek. The official rainfall report for San Angelo is 3.52 inches, which is more than three times the average for the entire month of July. Why It Matters Parts of Central Texas received flood-related weather alerts on Friday morning, including flash flood warnings, flood warnings, flood watches and flood advisories. The National Water Center warned several rivers would face serious flooding by Friday afternoon, including the Colorado River near San Saba, Texas; the Guadalupe River near Comfort, Texas; the Guadalupe River near Kerrville, Texas; and the Guadalupe River near Hunt, Texas. A stock photo shows flooding in Texas. A stock photo shows flooding in Texas. irin717/Getty "As the Guadalupe Flood continues through Kerrville, another flood is just ramping up," CBS Austin meteorologist Avery Tomasco posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday morning. "The SAN SABA river is now forecast to approach its highest level on record near Brady, TX. In the city of San Saba, the river is forecast to rise by more than 20 feet tomorrow morning." What to Know National Water Center forecasts anticipate Guadalupe River water levels will fall quickly after they peak late on Friday morning, but the Colorado River could remain flooded throughout the weekend. On Friday morning, the NWS office in San Angelo issued a flash flood warning that included areas such as Mason, Menard, Hext, Saline, Long Mountain, Calf Creek, Streeter, Grit, Camp Air, Katemcy, Camp San Saba, Voca, Fredonia, Art, Fort Mckavett, Hedwigs Hill, US 190 near the Menard-Mcculloch County Line, Erna, the intersection of US 83 and Highway 29 and US 377 near the Kimble-Menard county line. "Move to higher ground now," the warning said. "Act quickly to protect your life." The warning urged people to not drive on flooded roads. "In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain," it said. "Do not attempt to cross flooded roads. Find an alternate route." A Friday morning forecast from the NWS warned that "clusters of thunderstorms" would continue to bring heavy rain throughout the first part of the day across Central Texas. The excessive moisture is attributed to remnants of Tropical Storm Barry, which formed in the Gulf last weekend. Four inches of rain have already fallen in the San Angelo area, with up to 2 additional inches expected. What People Are Saying NWS meteorologist James Wingenroth told Newsweek: "It's a very significant event. We've had to issue flash flood emergencies for San Angelo. A flash flood emergency is an even more heightened warning than a standard flash flood warning. There have been water rescues and flooding across the portions of San Angelo." NWS San Angelo in a flash flood warning: "Life-threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses. Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles." What Happens Next Although river flooding could take time to recede, the NWS said the rain's intensity would drop by later on Friday.
