The July 4th weekend in 2025 was tragic for Central Texas. The devastating flood of the Guadalupe River took many lives, and several of them were children. The areas near Hunt, Ingram, and Kerrville were severely affected. The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet (8 meters) in 45 minutes. It was worse because this happened in the middle of the night. According to media sources, the amount of water was unbelievable. Three trillion gallons of water were added to the river. That is equivalent to providing water for one year in the United States. The same media outlets also state that this amount of water is equivalent to 1.5 million Olympic-size swimming pools or 1.5 months of water flow at Niagara Falls.
However, those were not the only places affected by floods this weekend. Closer to home (12 minutes from here), the San Gabriel River also caused a catastrophic flood on July 5th. According to the US Geological Survey, it was estimated that the San Gabriel River “rose from 3.82 feet (1.16 meters) at 5 a.m. to 35.80 feet (11 meters) at 11:30 a.m.”
All photos here show an area that is very familiar to me. I bike there frequently. I tend to park in the lot shown across the bridge in the first photo. This area is still blocked to traffic, but I was able to walk across the bridge carefully. There was a lot of debris and some water going over the bridge on the side where the large tree is down. Luckily, the area where I caught the tree photo was dry. The water was going over the bridge and through some openings. You can see the same openings in the second photo. The sidewalk on one side of the bridge was dry and safe, except for a few pieces of debris.
The water rose from the regular river bed to the parking lot. There is some debris near and on the parking lot, as shown in the photos below. To view a larger version of each image, click on the photo.
One thing I did not notice when I was photographing the area was the absence of the bike trail sign at the trailhead. When I looked at previous photos before the flood, I saw the sign in one of the photos
The tree in both photos is the same. The sign is gone.
The Katy Crossing bike trail goes around and behind the tree in the foreground, but is soon interrupted by debris on the trail. Notice how high the debris was left on the tree.
Another area, further down along the San Gabriel River, shows even more devastation. Take a look at the pedestrian bridge going across the river. The raging waters took down sections of it. The water rose to the level of the upper zigzag path on the right side. Also, take a look at the island in the middle of the river and the destruction of the trees there.
The rains have stopped here in our area. The San Gabriel River has receded to its regular bed, but the number of downed trees and debris along the trails is vast. It’ll be a while before some of these trails reopen to the public, especially the biking trails at Katy Crossing.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you might also be interested in others featuring Georgetown, Katy Crossing, Landscapes, Parks, San Gabriel Park, San Gabriel River, and Texas.
Discover more from Through Brazilian Eyes
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Pepper
So sad for the families who lost loved ones.
Egidio Leitao
It is very, very sad indeed.
Vicki
Thanks for sharing this compilation of info and the photos.
I’ve been following YouTube videos of the destruction and search for survivors. I can only imagine how the parents of the Camp Mystic (and other riverside camps) children are feeling. The waiting of friends and relatives must be heartbreaking.
Egidio Leitao
Vicki, the destruction has been horrible. There are still over 100 people unaccounted for along the Guadalupe River.
Writing to Freedom
Thanks for a personal tour of the floods and damage. The water volume is amazing. I’m glad you weren’t directly affected Egidio, but the damage seems extensive.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Brad. We were some of the lucky ones.
Michael Williams
I was so heartbroken to hear about this and the devastation it wrought. Mike
Egidio Leitao
So many lives lost. Thanks for writing, Mike.
Toonsarah
I only ‘liked’ this post because I’m pleased you shared these photos to show us something of the impact of these floods. The news coming out of Texas has been so sad. It’s hard to fathom that amount of extra water appearing so suddenly 😢
Egidio Leitao
Sarah, I totally understand the liking of the post. Although I was not personally affected by the floods, I just cannot imagine what some people are experiencing. Thank you.
Wandering Dawgs
Egidio, thank you for these powerful images. I can’t see them without thinking about how terrifying it must have been for those who lost their lives and for those who survived. Prayers go out to all of the families who lost loved ones and those who are still missing. Many thanks go out to all of the first responders, volunteers, and others who saved lives and are still searching for the missing people.
Egidio Leitao
Beth, thank you for your kind words. Those communities are suffering immeasurable pain.
Donna Robinson Photography
A truly devasting and heartbreaking event. Thank you for sharing pictures from the other areas affected by the floods. I had no idea that it expanded to The San Gabriel River.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the feedback, Donna.
margaret21
Floods and wildfires must be the most terrifying things that the natural world can throw at us. Though we don’t help by our own interference with the planet.
Egidio Leitao
True, Margaret. Some people do not seem to realize that.
André
It’s a real tragedy. I saw it in the news on tv and I was already wondering if it could possibly be close to where you are located.
We had such a disaster in July 2021 and still not everything is reconstructed.
https://solaner.wordpress.com/2021/07/22/throwback-thursday-the-flooding-in-july-2021-in-western-germany/
Egidio Leitao
Wow! Those are huge floods. Thanks for the link. The Kerrville area is about 2 hour from here, but the San Gabriel is only 12 minutes north of here.
Anne Sandler
There’s not much I can say that hasn’t been said already. The loss of life is a tragedy and we all mourn for them and feel sadness for their families and friends. Thank you for your first hand report and photos. Take care!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Anne.
shoreacres
Oddly, I didn’t realize that the San Gabriel existed until I saw footage of the flooding in Georgetown. I’ve spent decades visiting and enjoying property in Kerr County, so most of my friends and my favorite spots are in and around Kerrville, Hunt, Comfort, and Center Point. I well remember the 1987 flood that’s been referenced so often during this event; some friends in Comfort had direct experience of that one.
Both people and places have been lost. The Hunt store has been as much a friend as any person, and it may never come back now. Still, the sign has been changed. Instead of “Hunt Store,” the new makeshift sign says “Hunt Strong.” The river roads are eroded, but the communities’ spirit remains.
Egidio Leitao
These floods are so devastating. I probably wouldn’t have heard of the San Gabriel River if I did not live near the area. It’s a very popular river around Lake Georgetown. There are several recreation spots around the river and lake.
philosophy through photography
Egidio, heartbreaking to read, and yet so powerfully documented. The scale of the destruction is staggering—but your photos and words preserve what the river tried to erase. Grateful for this glimpse, even through such loss. Stay safe, and thank you for sharing this. 🌧️🕊️
Good morning from India.
Egidio Leitao
Philo, yes, heartbreaking is accurate. I know none of these people affected by the floods, but my heart aches just thinking about the pain their relatives are going through. To make matters worse, the Texas legislation had an opportunity to pass a law last spring to install warning sirens. They ignored the bill.
philosophy through photography
A difficult time indeed for the relatives.
Tina SchellTina Schell
I cannot imagine a world where floods like the one you experienced this week are eclipsed by others more serious. And they say climate change is a hoax. I’m sad that so many will lose access to this beautiful area at least for a while, and of course am devastated by those in Hunt and surrounding areas.
Egidio Leitao
Tina, it is indeed heartbreaking. Lawmakers could have passed a law last spring to install warning sirens, but they ignored it.
Lindy Le Coq
I’m so sorry for all of you living through these floods. I surely am glad you were not personally hurt or your property damaged. Sending healing vibes!
Egidio Leitao
Lindy, thanks you for these supporting words. We are some of the lucky ones.
Terri Webster Schrandt
This is such an unspeakable tragedy to read about here and on the news. Godspeed to those who passed away and prayers for the victims’ families and those still unaccounted for. 🙏😞
Egidio Leitao
I hope they find a way to overcome such tragedies. You might have seen ABC News tonight. David Muir interviewed a guy who was looking for his mom and dad. He broke down in front of the camera.