Kerrville Police Rescue Over 200 People as Flash Flooding Hits Texas Overnight

Kerrville police rescued over 200 residents during sudden overnight flash flooding as the Guadalupe River rose rapidly, preventing loss of life in the city.

KERRVILLE, Texas — July 9, 2025 | Local News By N Bhowmik

Quick-thinking police officers in Kerrville executed dramatic overnight rescues as sudden flash flooding surged through parts of the Hill Country city, pulling more than 200 residents to safety in about an hour, authorities said. That rapid response came when floodwaters surged into neighborhoods under the cover of darkness, catching many residents asleep and unaware of the danger unfolding outside their homes.

Local officials said the flooding started late Thursday night, after heavy rainfall upstream caused the Guadalupe River to surge. Water poured into streets and low-lying neighborhoods that never flood, catching residents off guard with little time to respond. By the time the emergency calls started coming in, some roads were already impassable.

Officers Take Action as Water Level Rises Fast

The Kerrville Police Department said officers immediately recognized the situation was quickly evolving beyond a routine weather response. Patrol units were redirected from across the city toward river-adjacent neighborhoods where water levels were rising at an alarming pace.

“Areas of town that traditionally don’t flood were going to flood,” said Community Services Officer Jonathan Lamb during a Wednesday briefing. “Low-lying areas close to the river were in serious danger, and we knew we had to act immediately.”

Officers started going door to door in the wee hours of the morning, flashing their flashlights down dark streets filled with pounding rain. Sirens on patrol vehicles and loudspeakers were utilized to wake residents and beg them to leave without any further delay. At times, officers had to knock and shout multiple times to arouse sleeping families.

A number of residents were initially reluctant to go, apparently believing that the flooding would not reach their houses. The officers impressed upon them the urgency for their evacuation, warning that water was rising minute by minute and that any further delay might be fatal.

Rescues in Deep, Fast-Moving Water

The waters rose rapidly overnight, swallowing roads and cutting off routes to flee. Officers encountered stalled vehicles, stranded drivers, and homes already taking on water. In multiple rescues, residents pulled out through windows as water climbed to waist and chest level inside houses.

“In one neighborhood, a lone officer realized he could not manage the growing emergency alone. With floodwater creeping higher around his patrol vehicle, he activated his siren and drove slowly through the streets calling on residents over the public address system to wake up and get out now.”

Soon he was joined by two other officers, and the three moved from RVs to mobile homes by wading through water that was growing deeper and swifter by the minute. In some cases, they carried residents— Including elderly people and children— Through the floodwaters to safety.

“They waded from thigh-deep to chest deep water,” Lamb said. “They were carrying people through floodwaters to save their lives.”

Hundreds Evacuated, No Local Fatalities Reported

Authorities said more than 100 homes were evacuated during the operation. Those rescued were transported to higher ground, emergency shelters, or local hospitals. Many residents were treated for minor injuries, exposure, or shock, but no fatalities were reported within the Kerrville city limits during the rescue operation.

Officials made clear that the lack of local fatalities was directly related to the speed and decisiveness of the response. Several streets were wholly submerged less than an hour after evacuations began, making further rescues extremely dangerous or impossible.

Emergency medical personnel stood by throughout the night, while firefighters were asked to help with transport and shelter coordination. Temporary shelters were opened for displaced residents unable to go home safely.

Deadly Flooding Across Kerr County

While Kerrville escaped loss of life within the city, the flooding proved deadly across the wider Kerr County region. Ninety-five people were confirmed dead due to the flooding by county officials, among them 36 children. Victims include campers, families, and individuals caught by rapidly rising waters in the early morning hours.

Search and recovery operations continued throughout the week as emergency crews and volunteers combed riverbanks, damaged neighborhoods, and debris-filled areas. Officials said some areas remained difficult to access because of washed-out roads and unstable ground.

Images of the aftermath reveal overturned vehicles, fallen fences, and debris piles lining both bridges and riverbanks. Personal belongings like furniture, clothes, and children’s toys were strewn across the muddied streets, testament to the suddenness and force of the flood.

Residents Praise First Responders

Many Kerrville residents credited police officers and first responders with saving their lives. A number said they had no indication of danger until officers knocked on their doors or sounded sirens outside of their homes.

“They knocked on our door just in time,” said a resident whose home flooded just minutes after being evacuated. “Without them, we wouldn’t have made it out.”

One resident recounted being carried through knee-deep water while cradling a child. “They didn’t hesitate to do anything,” the resident related. “They just did what they needed to do to get everybody out safely.”

Local officials praised the actions of the officers as heroic, citing the way many responders put themselves in harm’s way to protect others. City leaders added that such a response underscores how critical training, coordination, and community trust are during emergencies.

Officials Call for Flood Safety Awareness

Authorities warned that flash flooding continued to be one of the state’s most dangerous types of weather, especially during overnight storms, when visibility is low and residents are already asleep. Authorities underscored that even shallow floodwaters can be lethal with strong currents and hidden hazards.

People are encouraged to:

Avoid driving in heavy rain.

Never enter flooded roads

Follow evacuation instructions from the authorities immediately

Sign up for local emergency alert systems

“This could have been so much worse,” Lamb said. “Because officers acted fast and residents listened, hundreds of people are alive today.”

Recovery Operations Continue

As floodwaters continue to recede, cleanup and recovery efforts have kicked into high gear across Kerrville and its environs. Volunteers have been very instrumental in joining city crews in removing debris, clearing mud from homes, and helping residents salvage belongings.

Local and state agencies are assessing the damage to roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure. According to officials, some repairs may take weeks or months depending on the extent of the structural damage and weather conditions in the coming days.

Nonprofits and local community groups are distributing food, water, clothes, and cleaning supplies to the displaced families. Housing assistance is also being coordinated for residents who have been displaced because their homes were uninhabitable.

Despite the devastation, city leaders said that the community’s response has been resilient and collaborative. Neighbors have checked on one another, shared resources, and volunteered time to support recovery efforts.

As Kerrville begins the long process of rebuilding, officials say that night’s events will serve as a reminder of both the dangers posed by extreme weather and the lifesaving impact of quick action and community preparedness.