Central Texas drowned under torrential rains on Sunday, July 13, 2025, as flash floods swept through, forcing evacuations and grinding rescue efforts to a halt.
Fox Weather reported that the deluge, relentless and unforgiving, turned rivers into raging torrents, particularly in San Saba County, where the Lampasas River surged with terrifying speed. While progressive weather models pat themselves on the back for predicting chaos, real people faced real danger.
A Flash Flood Emergency gripped Central Texas as heavy rains triggered multiple warnings, with San Saba County hit hardest.
The Lampasas River at Adamsville skyrocketed 14 feet in just two hours, while near Kempner it crested at 32.45 feet, teetering below major flood stage. This wasn’t just water—it was nature’s reminder that no amount of climate rhetoric stops a river’s wrath.
Rain fell at a brutal rate of 3 inches per hour, with some areas facing 8-10 inches total. San Saba recorded 9.15 inches, Colorado Bend State Park got 6.31 inches, and Sonora, Killeen, and Brady each neared 5 inches. The ground, already soaked from prior rains, couldn’t handle the onslaught, mocking the idea that we’ve tamed the elements.
The Lampasas River’s rise was staggering, jumping from 1.75 feet at 4 a.m. to over 32 feet by 9:15 a.m. in Kempner.
Such rapid surges left no room for complacency, as Cherokee Creek became impassable and countless San Saba County roads were shut down. If you think bureaucracy moves slowly, try outrunning a river.
In Kerrville, new Flash Flood Warnings stopped search efforts along the Guadalupe River, still scarred from a deadly Fourth of July flood that claimed 129 lives, many young campers at Camp Mystic. The tragedy lingers, and now this fresh deluge stalls justice for those lost.
“This is a punch to the gut for people here in Kerrville, Texas,” said FOX Weather’s Katie Byrne, standing amid the downpour. A punch, sure, but Kerrville’s resilience isn’t measured by sob stories—it’s in the grit of those who keep going. The Code RED alert issued by Kerr County underscored the danger, urging folks near water to seek higher ground fast.
San Saba County Judge Jody Fauley didn’t mince words: “All homes damaged last Friday need to evacuate by 1 p.m.”
Those still reeling from prior floods were told to pack up and move, with a mandatory evacuation for the hardest-hit. Fauley’s no-nonsense order cuts through the noise—safety first, not feelings.
Properties near last week’s flood zones faced recommended evacuations, as the county braced for more. “Make plans to evacuate and pay close attention to all water levels,” Fauley warned, predicting major road closures by day’s end. Central Texans don’t need coddling; they need clear warnings and a chance to act.
Colorado Bend State Park shut its gates Sunday as floodwaters raged. The park, already battered by 6.31 inches of rain, became a no-go zone, with officials prioritizing lives over recreation. It’s a practical move, not some eco-worshipping gesture to “save the planet.”
“Turn around, don’t drown,” the San Saba County Sheriff’s Office declared, a blunt reminder that water doesn’t negotiate. Too many ignore such warnings, thinking their grit outmatches a flood’s force. Spoiler: it doesn’t.
Adaleigh Rowe, FOX 7 Austin meteorologist, sounded the alarm: “There is a Flash Flood Emergency for Colorado State Park, where six to eight inches of rainfall has already fallen.”
She urged residents to head for higher ground as more rain loomed. Her warning’s urgency slices through the fog of denial some still cling to.
“If you live near water, and it starts raining, get to higher ground,” Kerr County’s Code RED alert echoed. Straight talk, no fluff—exactly what’s needed when rivers rise and time runs short. Texans understand action, not hand-wringing.
NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center flagged most of Texas for flash flooding, with Central Texas under a dire Level 3 threat. Saturated soils from recent rains amplified the risk, turning every drop into a potential disaster. Mother Nature doesn’t read your climate policy memos.
Computer models pinpointed the heaviest rain before sunrise, moving east and southeast later. The Rio Grande, southern Edwards Plateau, and Hill Country faced rapid river rises, threatening more chaos. High-tech forecasts are great, but they don’t save lives—action does.
