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Guadalupe River Swells 20 ft, Flash Floods Kill One

7/18/2026

38 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Heavy rains on July 15-16, 2026 raised the Guadalupe River above 20 feet, sparking flash-flood emergencies across the Texas Hill Country.
Governor Greg Abbott confirmed at least one death, over 200 rescues, opened shelters in Kerrville and Ingram, and ordered residents to shelter in place and seek higher ground.
A U.S. Geological Survey gauge at Hunt recorded 20.5 feet, and a 15-20-foot hole opened in the Arcadia Loop bridge.

History

Historical Context

The Great Flood of 1993, lasting from April to October, inundated the Mississippi and Missouri basins, caused 50 deaths and $12-16 billion in damage, and spurred federal disaster aid and levee upgrades. In July 2026, heavy rain flooded Texas’s Guadalupe River, leading Governor Greg Abbott to open shelters. The 1993 disaster’s integrated watershed reforms now guide Texas’s flood-management response.

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Story summary

Heavy rains on July 15-16, 2026 raised the Guadalupe River above 20 feet, sparking flash-flood emergencies across the Texas Hill Country.
Governor Greg Abbott confirmed at least one death, over 200 rescues, opened shelters in Kerrville and Ingram, and ordered residents to shelter in place and seek higher ground.
A U.S. Geological Survey gauge at Hunt recorded 20.5 feet, and a 15-20-foot hole opened in the Arcadia Loop bridge.

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