Austin, TX
Flash Flood Warnings issued in Central Texas, ground search operations suspended
Flash Flood Warnings
AUSTIN – Life-threatening flash flooding is underway in the Texas Hill Country, with multiple counties under emergency warnings.
The Latest:
Flash Flood Warning from 7/13/2025 10:52 AM to 1:00 PM CDT for San Saba County, TX.
Flash Flood Warning from 7/13/2025 10:28 AM to 12:30 PM CDT for Mason County, TX
Flash Flood Warning from 7/13/2025 10:16 AM to 12:45 PM CDT for Gillespie County, TX, Llano County, TX
Flood Warnings
Flood Warning from 7/13/2025 11:18 AM to 7/15/2025 2:20 PM CDT for Llano County
Flood Warning from 7/13/2025 10:49 AM to 2:00 PM CDT for Lampasas County, TX.
Flood Warning from 7/13/2025 11:48 AM to 7/17/2025 3:49 AM CDT for San Saba County, TX
Flood Warning from 7/13/2025 9:28 AM to 6:00 PM CDT for Bell County, TX.
UPDATE (8:50 AM): LCRA has opened one floodgate at Wirtz Dam and will open multiple floodgates at Starcke Dam soon to release storm runoff flowing into Lake LBJ. Conditions are dynamic, and it is possible LCRA may need to open additional floodgates throughout the day.
Road Closures
Travis County
1431 Cow Creek Bridge: Crews are actively removing debris and the damaged bridge structure from the Cow Creek area on RM 1431 in northwest Travis County. This critical work is being done in preparation for full reconstruction. TxDOT is expediting the process with plans to award a construction contract as soon as next week. Once a contractor is secured, construction will begin immediately.
Lampasas
The Lampasas River 190 Bridge in Kempner is closed. There are power/phone lines in the water snagging debris. Please stay clear of the water.
Due to last night’s excessive rainfall, Lampasas city departments have been working to keep everyone safe. The Lampasas Streets Department has closed numerous low-water crossings and roadways. Due to the severe flooding, many sections of road that aren’t normally closed are currently impassable. Crews will reopen them as soon as conditions allow.
The Fire Department rescued several people and pets from homes and coordinated temporary relocation.
All electrical outages have been repaired by the Electric Department. The Police Department has been busy coordinating communications for these services, assisting the other departments, and patrolling to spot any dangers.
Please be aware that WM Brook Park is closed today due to high water in Sulphur Creek.
With a continued chance of rain in the forecast, please watch for high water and debris in the roadway if you must drive.
Kerr County
The Rio Vista low water crossing off Highway 39 is closed. Residents and emergency responders may use the Cade Loop bridge crossing at this time. Please stay home and avoid the area, and remain weather-aware for further warnings.
San Saba
Due to the overnight and continuing rains this morning, the San Saba River is now at 16–18 feet (not 30.5 feet) and rising. LCRA is predicting the river to crest at 31.5 feet at midnight. Please be aware and be prepared, particularly those citizens north of the railroad tracks close to the river.
Burnet County
Closures because of flooded crossings in Pct 2 as of 9:25am
RM 963
FM 243
FM 2340
CR 223
CR 207
CR 228
CR 202
CR 203
CR 200
Due to unsafe conditions following last night’s rain, the Burnet Recycle Center is closed today. You will not be able to dispose of flood debris this Sunday, July 13, 2025. We hope it will be back open tomorrow, but please look for updates on this page to see when operations will resume.
Bell County
Bell County Emergency Management has an Emergency Operations Command at the Southwestern Bell County Volunteer Fire Department. There has been substantial rainfall west (upstream) and the Lampasas River is reacting to that rainfall. The Gulf River Authority has said to expect the Lampasas River to rise to 41 feet, which will cause some flood issues along Riverside Trail in Triple 7, and west around Maxdale.
A Code Red alert was sent to those in that affected area. Southwestern Bell VFD has gone door to door all morning, making everyone aware and evacuating those in danger, and two swift water rescue crews are staged and on standby.
TxDOT is en route with barricades for FM2670 and Road and Bridge is en route to stage here for county road issues that may take place.
Assets are staged in areas of Lampasas, Kempner and Adamsville to respond anywhere along the Lampasas river if needed.
Emergency Alerts
8:27 a.m. An Emergency Alert was sent to people in the flash flood warning areas saying this is a dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.
7:54 a.m. There is a high probability of the Guadalupe River at Hunt reaching flood stage today. All persons, equipment and vehicles should be removed from the river immediately.
Power Outages
9 a.m. Pedernales Electric reports more than 1,000 customers are without power in Williamson, TX
Ground Search Operations
As of 7:49 a.m., all ground search operations in Kerrville are suspended due to the flood danger. All search crews were told to evacuate the river corridor until further notice. Any volunteer search parties in the Guadalupe River corridor need to heed this warning. The potential for flash flooding is high.
Search-and-rescue teams have been searching for missing victims of the July 4 weekend flooding that killed at least 129 people and left more than 170 missing.
As heavy rain fell Sunday, National Weather Service forecasters warned that the Guadalupe River could rise to nearly 15 feet (4.6 meters) by Sunday afternoon, about five feet above flood stage and enough to put the Highway 39 bridge near Hunt underwater.
“Numerous secondary roads and bridges are flooded and very dangerous,” a weather service warning said.
Sunday Forecast
Heavy rain and life-threatening flash flooding hammered the Texas Hill Country early Sunday, prompting a flash flood emergency in southeastern San Saba County and urgent warnings across several central Texas counties.
Austin residents are advised to remain vigilant as the weather system, which has already dumped 6 to 8 inches of rain in some areas, is expected to move toward the Austin metro area and further east throughout the day.
We’re seeing life-threatening flash flooding. Residents in affected areas are urged to seek higher ground immediately if they receive an evacuation notice.
Flash Flood Emergency
A flash flood emergency was issued for southeastern San Saba until 7 a.m. Sunday, specifically targeting the Colorado Bend State Park and surrounding areas. Rowe noted that a river gauge in the area had already jumped approximately 12 feet.
Additional flash flood warnings were in effect for several counties, including San Saba and Mason until 9 a.m., Lampasas until 8 a.m., and both Burnet and Llano until 8:15 a.m.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and local emergency officials strongly advised against travel in areas with flash flood warnings. Residents were told to stay away from rivers, creeks, and low-lying areas. Rowe stressed the critical safety message: “Turn around, don’t drown.”
Severe Weather Possible
While the immediate concern remains flooding, the region also faces a marginal risk of severe weather, including hail and gusty winds.
The heavy rain boundary is moving from north to south, pushing southeast. The Hill Country is expected to experience the worst conditions over the next few hours before the system weakens slightly as it moves into the Austin metro.
Widespread rain will last until 7 p.m. Sunday. While conditions are expected to improve around 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. Sunday evening, the potential for more rainfall exists Monday afternoon and evening.
Some models suggest 2 to 4 inches of additional rainfall in the next 48 hours, with Rowe advising residents not to rule out “several more inches in some spots.”
Officials emphasized the importance of having multiple ways to receive weather alerts, including push notifications, weather radios, and local news apps. If roads are flooded, remember that “six inches can knock over an adult,” and “12 inches to carry away most cars.”
The Source: Information in this article is from the FOX 7 Austin’s weather team.
Austin, TX
Texas is getting a massive new state park, and it will be the second largest in the state
AUSTIN, Texas – A massive stretch of Texas Hill Country is officially becoming a new state park, and it’s set to be one of the biggest outdoor destinations in the entire state.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announced Wednesday that nearly 54,000 acres in Edwards and Kinney counties have been acquired to create Silver Lake State Park, which will become the second largest state park in Texas behind only Big Bend Ranch State Park.
The future park is located about 150 miles west of San Antonio between Rocksprings and Uvalde and features rugged canyons, rolling hills, river frontage along the West Nueces River, and a rare 30-acre spring-fed lake known as Silver Lake.
Why this is a big deal for Texans
Texas has seen growing demand for outdoor recreation and state park access in recent years, with many parks regularly reaching capacity during weekends and holidays. Officials say this acquisition will dramatically expand public access to protected land in the Hill Country.
Governor Greg Abbott called the project another example of how “the opportunities to explore nature’s wonders are truly bigger in Texas.”
The land was largely donated through the Moody Foundation, which gifted 87.5% ownership of the property to the state. Texas Parks and Wildlife purchased the remaining portion for $11.85 million using money from the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund and Sporting Goods Sales Tax revenue.
What visitors can expect
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, the property includes:
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Steep limestone cliffs and deep canyons
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Miles of river frontage
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Creeks and natural swimming holes
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Oak-covered hillsides
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Caves and ancient pictographs
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Wildlife including deer, turkey, dove and javelina
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Habitat for endangered species like the golden-cheeked warbler
The park will be developed in phases. Early access may include guided tours and limited day-use opportunities before larger recreational amenities are added. Future plans could include camping, hiking trails, paddling access and visitor facilities.
When will it open?
There is currently no official opening date for Silver Lake State Park. Texas Parks and Wildlife says planners will first conduct environmental and cultural surveys before finalizing recreational plans and infrastructure improvements. Public input will also help shape the park’s future.
Officials say the process could take months, but once complete, the park is expected to become a major outdoor attraction for Texans and visitors alike.
Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.
Austin, TX
Texas Governor Greg Abbott issues directive keeping college tuition frozen for upcoming school year
Greg Abbott, governor of Texas, speaks to members of the media after casting his ballot at a polling location inside Austin Recreation Center on the first day of early voting in the Texas runoff election in Austin, Texas, US, on Monday, May 18, 2026.
Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday issued a directive reinforcing a freeze on undergraduate tuition and fees at all public institutions of higher education in Texas for the upcoming academic year.
Tuition freeze extended
In a letter sent to college and university presidents, Abbott made clear that his November 2024 directive remains fully in effect and that no undergraduate tuition or fees should be increased for the 2026–2027 academic school year. The freeze applies to all public two-year and four-year institutions, including both general academic and health-related schools.
What they’re saying:
“Higher education must be attainable for Texas students and families,” Abbott said in a statement. “Access to affordable, high-quality higher education is essential to ensure Texans learn the skills needed to secure family-sustaining jobs and meet the demands of a growing workforce.”
Undergraduate tuition and fees at Texas public institutions have remained frozen since 2023. While the state legislature previously codified the freeze for general academic four-year universities, Abbott emphasized that his executive directive encompasses all public higher education systems.
State officials noted that the tuition freeze has been paired with significant state investments intended to offset institutional costs and support affordability. In 2023, the state invested more than $680 million to reform community college funding and expand degree pathways. Additionally, during the 2025 budget cycle, Texas increased student financial aid funding by $328 million to expand access to state financial aid programs for eligible students.
What’s next:
Abbott indicated he plans to work with the legislature during its next session to extend the tuition freeze into future academic years.
The Source: Information in this article is from the Texas Governor’s office.
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas State Senator Nathan Johnson has defeated his opponent Joe Jaworski for the Democratic primary nomination in the Texas State Attorney General’s Race.
Johnson grabbed nearly 60 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s runoff election.
“A Johnson victory means that Democrats will probably have the best candidate for a November run as their nominee,” said Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University.
Johnson is campaigning on a focus on public safety, including building public relationships with prosecutors and law enforcement, and protecting competition in the marketplace for Texas consumers.
ALSO| Texas AG Ken Paxton wins GOP runoff for US Senate, ousting longtime Sen. John Cornyn
Johnson will take on either current U.S. Congressman Chip Roy or current Texas State Senator Mayes Middleton in the November election.
While calling Johnson the favorite in the Democratic primary, Jones says Johnson will be the underdog in a much different battle in November.
“Texas remains a reliably Republican state where Republican candidates start with a natural, high single-digit advantage,” said Jones. “And unlike the case of, say, Ken Paxton, who’s a deeply flawed candidate, neither Mays Middleton nor Chip Roy has any of those same flaws. They’re very conservative.”
The winner of November’s race will replace Ken Paxton as state Attorney General. Paxton has held the position since 2015, but is running for U.S. Senate in 2026. Follow all election results here.
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