Kerr County’s Devastating Flooding is a Wake-Up Call for All Texans

Last week, Kerr County, Texas, experienced one of the most catastrophic flooding events in its recent history—tragically resulting in multiple deaths and widespread destruction. Torrential rains overwhelmed local waterways, causing rivers to breach their banks and flash floods to sweep through homes, roads, and entire neighborhoods.

At Climate Realty, our mission is to make these climate risks visible and actionable—so that individuals and families can make informed decisions about where and how they live.

Why Did the Kerr County Flooding Turn So Deadly?

The Hill Country of Texas, including Kerrville and surrounding communities, is no stranger to heavy rain. But as climate change intensifies, the frequency and severity of these Texas flooding events are escalating. Warmer air holds more moisture, which leads to heavier and more sudden downpours—especially in areas with hilly terrain and poor stormwater infrastructure.

In the recent flood, the Guadalupe River rose rapidly—outpacing alerts and overwhelming both residents and emergency responders.

Climate Realty Flagged Kerr County for Flood Risk and Vulnerability

Before the storm, Climate Realty’s Climate Safety Map had already identified Kerr County, Texas as a high-risk area—assigning it a troubling combination of:

• High Flood Risk
• High Social Vulnerability
• Relatively Low Community Resilience

These scores are part of our proprietary Climate Safety Index, which aggregates publicly available federal and academic data into easy-to-understand local climate risk profiles.

What Can You Do to Mitigate the Risks of Inland Flooding?

While we can’t stop storms from forming, there are several steps individuals and families can take to reduce their exposure to inland flooding risks and better prepare for a changing climate:

• Understand Your Property’s Risk: Use tools like FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center and the Climate Realty Climate Safety Map to check if your home lies in a high-risk flood zone. Keep in mind that many damaging floods occur outside of designated floodplains, especially as rainfall becomes more intense.

• Floodproof Where Possible: If you own your home, consider retrofitting to reduce water damage. This can include:
  • Installing sump pumps and backflow valves
  • Elevating appliances, HVAC systems, and electrical panels
  • Using flood-resistant materials in basements and ground floors
  • Sealing foundation cracks and waterproofing basement walls

• Stay Informed: Sign up for local emergency alerts via text, email, or apps like FEMA and MyRadar. Flash floods can develop quickly—often with little warning—so stay tuned to weather alerts when storms are forecasted. Prepare a go-bag with essentials in case you need to evacuate quickly. (Check out our article below on the importance of having a “go bag” or check out this product offered by Redfora here)

• Prepare Your Family and Community: Develop a family emergency plan that includes evacuation routes, shelter options, and communication protocols. At the community level, join or organize local flood preparedness meetings and push for better stormwater infrastructure and land use planning that minimizes runoff.

• Consider Relocation: If your home is located in a repetitive loss area or region with frequent inland flooding, it may be time to consider relocating to a safer location. Climate Realty can help you identify lower flood risk regions that still offer the lifestyle, climate, and community features you’re looking for. Visit our contact page and talk with one of our Real Estate Climate Experts if you want guidance on possible locations, factors or how to start the relocation process.

How Climate Realty Helps You Make Informed Decisions

At Climate Realty, we are committed to helping you understand the risks associated with living in flooding-prone areas. Through our climate data map, you can explore areas based on factors like climate safety risk, cost of living, housing prices, and more. Our platform allows you to evaluate potential relocation options, ensuring that you make informed decisions that protect your family, home, and financial future.

We understand that moving is a big decision, and we provide resources and expert guidance to help you navigate the process. For those in high-risk areas, such as Kerrville, we recommend a nearby safer alternative, like Austin, TX or just north of there, Williamson County, where flooding risk is lower, good climate safety across the board and a similar climate zone and lifestyle. (See image below)

Protecting What Matters Most

The recent flooding in Kerr County, Texas is a heartbreaking reminder that inland flooding is a growing threat—one that can strike quickly and with devastating impact. As climate change accelerates, these risks are becoming more frequent and severe, affecting families and communities far beyond coastal zones.

But you’re not powerless. Whether it’s floodproofing your home, securing proper flood insurance, or exploring a move to lower-risk regions, there are proactive steps you can take to protect what matters most.

At Climate Realty, our mission is to help you understand your risk—and make smart, informed decisions about where and how to live. Whether you’re staying put and preparing, or considering relocation, we offer the tools, data, and expert connections to guide you.

Take action today—explore our resources and find out how you can better protect your family, your home, and your future from the growing threat of wildfires.

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