Timeline: How Catastrophic Flooding Unfolded in Texas Hill Country

TEXAS - Catastrophic flooding devastated portions of the Texas Hill Country on July 4, 2025, resulting in the tragic loss of more than 120 lives, according to FEMA.

The following is a timeline of key events leading up to and during this deadly flash flood, compiled from the Department of Homeland Security and other official sources:

Wednesday July 2

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) activated emergency response resources in Central Texas in anticipation of heavy rainfall and flash flooding.

Thursday July 3

TDEM increased its readiness level and mobilized additional emergency state response resources for Central and West Texas as the flood threat intensified heading into the holiday weekend.

Morning:

• The National Weather Service (NWS) in Austin/San Antonio conducted a forecast briefing with emergency management officials, emphasizing the risk of flash flooding.

• The National Water Center issued a Flood Hazard Outlook identifying flash flood potential for Kerrville and surrounding areas.

1:13 PM: NWS Austin/San Antonio issued a Flood Watch for Kerr County, effective through Friday morning.

6:10 PM: Weather Prediction Center (WPC) released the first of three Mesoscale Precipitation Discussions (MPD #0580, #0581, #0582), warning of excessive rainfall and flash flood potential.

6:22 PM: National Water Center issued an alert for "considerable flooding risk" north and west of San Antonio, including Kerrville.

11:41 PM: The first Flash Flood Warning was issued for Bandera County.

Friday July 4

1:14 AM: Flash Flood Warnings with "considerable damage" tags were issued for Bandera and Kerr Counties, triggering Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) and NOAA Weather Radio notifications.

4:03 AM: Flash Flood Warning is upgraded to a Flash Flood Emergency for south-central Kerr County, including Hunt.

4:35 AM: Kerr County Sheriff's Office reports flooding at the low water crossing, over three hours after the initial 1:14 AM warning.

4:35 AM: A US Geological Survey (USGS) gauge on the Guadalupe River recorded a river level of 29.5 feet.

5:10 AM: National Water Center warned of "widespread, considerable, and catastrophic flooding."

5:34 AM: Flash Flood Emergency is issued for the Guadalupe River, signaling a "large and deadly flood wave."

5:45 AM - A USGS gauge recorded the Guadalupe River at 34.29 feet - an extreme and life-threatening level.

The rest of the day brought devastation to communities throughout the region.

9:00 PM - Governor Greg Abbott issued a formal statement and signed a disaster declaration for the impacted areas.

For more on the unfolding aftermath and how to support those affected, visit: Ways to Help Texas Flood Victims.