News Summary
Kerr County, Texas experienced catastrophic flooding over the July Fourth weekend, resulting in at least 134 confirmed deaths. Families were deeply affected, including the loss of cherished community members, Emlyn and Penny Jeffrey, along with their granddaughter. Search and rescue operations continue as the community grapples with the aftermath of one of Texas’s deadliest natural disasters, prompting emergency response efforts from local and state agencies.
Kerrville, Texas – Tragic Kerr County Flood Claims Lives of 134
The Kerr County area experienced catastrophic floods over the July Fourth weekend, resulting in the loss of at least 134 lives, including beloved grandparents Emlyn and Penny Jeffrey and their 11-year-old granddaughter, Madelyn “Emmy” Jeffrey. The family, originally from San Antonio, was staying in a riverside cabin along the Guadalupe River in Hunt when they were swept away by sudden floodwaters.
As search and rescue efforts continued, local officials confirmed that a total of 107 deaths have been reported within Kerr County, with 97 individuals still missing amidst ongoing recovery operations. Initially, 161 missing persons were reported, but that number decreased as victims were identified and misreported cases resolved. Many of the missing individuals did not register at local hotels or campsites, complicating the process of confirming their whereabouts.
The floods emerged after heavy rainfall that inundated the region, extending a historic disaster that is being marked as one of the deadliest natural calamities in Texas in recent times—potentially exceeding the toll of the devastating San Antonio floods of 1921. All the while, severe weather patterns continued to pose threats, with flood watches enacted across 12 counties, including Kerr County.
Community Impact and Victim Stories
Madelyn Jeffrey, a student at Bulverde Creek Elementary in the North East Independent School District, was remembered as a vibrant and loving child who made a remarkable impact on those around her. The school district expressed its heartfelt condolences to the family, recognizing the deep loss felt by the community. The Jeffreys were not only cherished family members, but they were also deeply involved in their community through volunteer work, contributing extensively to Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA). Both Emlyn and Penny served as court-appointed advocates for abused and neglected children, managing over 100 cases throughout their years of service.
Yolanda Valenzuela, who coordinated work for Emlyn with CASA, emphasized the couple’s commitment to helping the most vulnerable children in San Antonio, underscoring the significant impact of their loss on the community.
Government and Local Response
In response to the ongoing disaster, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission has allocated $1.9 million in emergency grants to support local hospitals affected by the flooding, addressing the urgent need for healthcare services in the wake of destruction. Funding has also been made available for local businesses to help them recover from losses endured during the floods.
Assistance has come from neighboring states, with teams dispatched to support search and rescue operations amid adverse weather conditions that have hampered efforts. Infrastructure in the affected areas has suffered significant damage, and recovery initiatives are underway to support displaced residents and rebuild impacted regions.
Looking Ahead
As the recovery process progresses, local communities in Kerrville have started organizing events, such as “Movies in the Park,” to foster a sense of solidarity and resilience among residents as they navigate the aftermath of this tragedy. Victims of the floods included many children from local summer camps, which has heightened the emotional impact on families and the community at large. The stories of those lost during this heartbreaking event illustrate the diverse lives affected by the disaster, reinforcing the importance of community support during this challenging time.
The continuous threat from torrential rains remains a concern, as flood watches persist and authorities remain vigilant in monitoring the culminating weather situation, especially in historically vulnerable areas of Kerr County known as “flash flood alley.”
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Additional Resources
- KENS5
- Wikipedia: 2025 Texas Floods
- AP News
- Google Search: Texas flooding 2025
- USA Today
- Google Scholar: Texas flood 2025 analysis
- Fox Weather
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas flooding history
- CBS News
- Google News: Central Texas flood recovery donations
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
