Flash Floods Kill 13, Leave Dozens Missing in Texas

A devastating flash flood struck the Hill Country of west-central Texas, particularly along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, killing at least 13 people and leaving nearly two dozen missing. The National Weather Service defines flash floods as sudden flooding occurring within six hours of heavy rainfall, often catching residents off guard due to rapidly rising waters. Despite advance warnings, including a flood watch followed by a flood warning affecting 30,000 people, the swift rise in water—up to 10 inches in early Friday—trapped many before they could escape. Flash floods remain the leading cause of storm-related deaths in the U.S., claiming an average of 127 lives annually, with nearly half of fatalities involving vehicles, as many underestimate the dangers of driving through even shallow water. The National Weather Service emphasizes that even normally calm streams can become deadly torrents during heavy rain, underscoring the importance of heeding flood warnings and avoiding flooded roadways. The flooding also forced cancellations of Fourth of July festivities in central Texas, with fears that the death toll could rise further.