Floods in Kerrville force evacuations and transform July 4th festivities into emergency relief efforts as community rallies to support each other amid devastation.
KERRVILLE, Texas — What was supposed to be a weekend of celebration and unity in Kerrville has transformed into a scene of survival and heartbreak. Devastating floods have torn through the city, sweeping away homes, campsites and a sense of safety for many residents.
For some, what began as a fun-filled Fourth of July weekend has now become a fight to stay alive.
Heartbreak and Heroism Amid Flooding
The floodwaters that surged through Kerrville early Friday morning caught many residents by surprise, sparking a scramble to evacuate and find shelter. Arcadia Live, a popular event venue that was set to help host the city’s July 4th celebration, quickly became a lifeline for the community. What was meant to be a night of music, food, and fireworks, instead turned into an impromptu shelter and reunification center.
“The first call I got about the flooding, I had a feeling in my gut,” said Libbie Horton, assistant director of Arcadia Live. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, the park.’”
Over the past 24 hours, Arcadia Live has taken on a new role, coordinating donations, offering food, clothing, and most importantly, providing a place for evacuees to find comfort in the chaos.
“Kerrville Strong”
For many residents, the morning of the flood felt like a nightmare. As the river rose and power lines snapped, evacuations were necessary — some by boat, others by navigating live power lines and rising floodwaters.
Zerick Baldwin, a Kerrville resident, had made plans to stay the night at a campsite at Flat Rock Park along the Guadalupe River. But a last-minute decision to leave, he said, might have saved his life.
“I told my family I was going to stay the night and fish, but if I would’ve slept in my truck or something, I would have been gone,” Baldwin said. “The waters came so quickly. If I had stayed, I wouldn’t have even known what hit.”
Baldwin had originally planned to attend the city’s July 4th celebration, even seeing the stage, bar, and festive signs set up Thursday. By Friday morning, all of it was wiped away without a trace, swallowed by the floodwaters.
“Yesterday they had everything set up — the stage, the food trucks. Now there’s not even a sign that it was there.”
Kerrville-Schreiner Park, another area heavily impacted by the flooding, had been fully booked for the holiday weekend. Chris Huber, a park host volunteer, described the damage. “We had to cancel all reservations. We were expecting a full house. Now, the eight cabins by the river are destroyed. They’ll need to be replaced.”
Despite the devastation, Huber and other residents remained hopeful.
Candice Taylor, an evacuee, described her frantic escape from rising floodwaters. “We had to drive over live power lines to get out of here because the only other way we could go was underwater,” she said. “This wasn’t forecasted. Possible flooding, yes. Flash flooding, yes. Aerial flooding, no. Anybody who says anything like, ‘This was forecasted. Why didn’t you watch the news?’ That’s callous.”
Officials noted that the floodwaters have reached levels not seen since 1978. With the recovery efforts underway, Arcadia Live remains open as a donation center and shelter for those in need. The nearby Louise Hays and Kerrville-Schreiner Parks have been closed indefinitely due to damage, and recovery will take weeks, if not months.
In times of crisis, Kerrville’s residents have always found ways to come together. Libbie Horton of Arcadia Live expressed the unity the community has shown, even in the face of disaster. “If there’s anything we can celebrate today, it’s the fact that our community is strong, and the love is immense.”
Local volunteers and evacuees alike shared one common sentiment: Kerrville is strong, and the city will rebuild. “Whenever there’s a family in need or a house burns down, the community is there for them,” said Baldwin. “I know we’ll make it through this. Kerrville’s got it.”
Recovery and Cleanup in Progress
As of now, the city is in the midst of recovery efforts. Both Louise Hays Park and Kerrville-Schreiner Park remain closed while crews assess the damage. Arcadia Live is being used to shelter evacuees, distribute donations, and coordinate relief efforts through makeshift Google spreadsheets.
Power outages persist across Kerrville, with many still without electricity. Kerrville-Schreiner Park is without water due to a water main break close to the river.
Despite the loss and destruction, the resilient spirit of Kerrville remains strong.
“We’re all out here worrying about everyone’s safety now,” said Preston Quaife, one of the evacuees. “This was supposed to be a celebration. Now, we just want to make sure everyone is okay.”
Though the waters rose, the community’s resilience stood taller.