Honestly, if you haven't been keeping an eye on the Hill Country lately, you might think the news about what city in Texas is flooded is just another seasonal headline. But for the folks in Kerrville and Hunt, it’s been a long, exhausting road since that nightmare on July 4, 2025. It wasn't just a "bad storm." It was a wall of water that changed the map of Central Texas in a single morning.
The Guadalupe River basically turned into a monster. In Hunt, the water rose over 26 feet in about 45 minutes. Think about that for a second. That's faster than most people can pack a suitcase or even wake up and realize their driveway is gone.
The Current State of Flooding in Kerrville and the Hill Country
Right now, as of January 16, 2026, we aren't seeing the same "wall of water" disaster that hit last summer, but the scars are everywhere. If you drive through Kerr County today, you'll see empty lots where houses used to sit and fresh dirt where foundations were literally scrubbed off the earth.
The "flooding" everyone is asking about now is more about the long-term saturation and the recovery process. While the river level at Hunt is currently stable, the community is still wrestling with what "Flash Flood Alley" really means for their future. The July event killed over 130 people across the region. It’s the kind of tragedy that doesn't just wash away when the sun comes out.
Why the Guadalupe River Reacted So Violently
Texas Hill Country is beautiful, but its geology is sort of a trap. You've got thin, rocky soil that doesn't soak up water worth a lick. When Tropical Storm Barry’s remnants parked over the area, the rain had nowhere to go but down the hills and into the narrow river valleys.
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- Topography: Steep limestone hills act like a funnel.
- Soil: Shallow dirt means immediate runoff.
- Speed: The 11.43-meter surge near Hunt shattered the old 1932 record.
Most people don't realize that in 2025, the Guadalupe River near Kerrville peaked above 35 feet. Normally? It’s a lazy one or two feet deep. Seeing that much water in a channel meant for a creek is terrifying.
What Most People Get Wrong About Texas Floods
People always ask, "Why didn't they just leave?"
The reality is that the warnings came in the middle of the night—around 1:14 a.m. for some, but the "catastrophic" alerts didn't hit phones until 5:30 a.m., when the water was already through the front doors. At Camp Mystic, 25 campers and two counselors were lost because the river moved faster than the communication systems could keep up.
There’s also a big misconception that everything is back to normal now that it's 2026. It’s not. As of mid-October 2025, only about 20% of FEMA applications in Kerr County were actually approved. Local nonprofits are basically holding the community together with duct tape and prayer right now because the federal help just isn't reaching everyone.
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Recovery Efforts and New Safety Laws
Since the disaster, the Texas Legislature actually got off its butt and passed a $300 million package. They're finally installing new flood sirens along the Guadalupe. Texas Tech is also working on a new radar system because, apparently, there are "holes" in the current weather coverage that prevent meteorologists from seeing what's happening in the lower atmosphere in the Hill Country.
- New Warning Systems: 30 new radar sites are being identified across Central Texas.
- Camp Safety: Stricter rules for summer camps located in floodways.
- Legislative Action: Governor Abbott signed laws aimed at tightening youth camp safety and preparedness.
Even with the new tech, the trauma remains. Camp Mystic plans to reopen later this year, which has sparked a lot of legal drama. Families are suing, arguing that the camp was built in a known floodway. It’s a mess, honestly.
Is it Safe to Visit the Hill Country Now?
If you're planning a trip to Kerrville or Fredericksburg, don't cancel your plans, but be smart. The bridges are mostly rebuilt, and the shops are open. Just know that the weather can turn on a dime.
The Pedernales and Llano rivers are also prone to these sudden jumps. If you’re staying in a cabin near the water, check the weather forecast every single day. Not just the "chance of rain," but the flash flood watches.
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Practical Steps for Dealing with Texas Flooding
If you live in or are visiting an area prone to flooding, don't rely on your phone's default weather app. Those things are generic and often miss local nuances.
- Monitor the LCRA Hydromet: If you're in the Colorado River basin, this is the gold standard for real-time river levels.
- Get a NOAA Weather Radio: These work when cell towers go down—which they did during the July flood.
- Know Your Elevation: "Turn around, don't drown" isn't just a catchy phrase; it's the difference between a ruined car and a ruined life.
- Check the Maps: FEMA is still updating the maps for the Hill Country, but you can check current flood zones through the National Flood Insurance Program.
The situation in Kerrville is a reminder that nature doesn't care about our holiday plans or our sleep schedules. The city isn't "underwater" today, but it is a city transformed by water.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check the current river stages at the NOAA Water Prediction Service before heading to any Texas river crossing. If you are a property owner in the Hill Country, review your insurance policy immediately; only about 2% of inland Texas homeowners have flood insurance, and standard homeowner policies almost never cover rising water.