Rescue Efforts and Ministries Ordered to Pause Response to Texas Floods
Central Texas is facing tragedy all over again from torrential rain that started to pound the area on Sunday morning, which is leading into more flooding. Kerr County officials made the rapid determination to suspend all search and rescue efforts along the Guadalupe River due to the renewed threat from the storm system hanging over central Texas. County officials posted on social media picked up by USA Today that all rescue personnel, equipment and vehicles "should be removed from the river area immediately," and that, "Volunteer operations are currently suspended until further notice. All self-deployed volunteers need to heed this warning as well for their safety," the posts said. "Safety of lives is the highest priority."
New Rain Bringing on Increasing Threats for First Responders and Christian Ministries
With the new rain that has fallen, San Saba County is also expected to be impacted by major flooding, and an evacuation order has been issued. Officials are also warning of possible rapid water rising and possible flooding along the Rio Grande, southern Edwards Plateau, and in Hill Country, according to Fox News.
During the pause in searches, Ingram Fire Department officials ordered crews to immediately evacuate the Guadalupe River corridor in Kerr County, warning the potential for a flash flood was high. https://t.co/scjErXNSsA
— KTBS (@KTBS) July 14, 2025
Some Christian ministries that had boots on the ground after the first round of flooding included Samaritan's Purse, Somebody Cares America, Operation Blessing, and the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (which includes cross-trained chaplains).
"We need to continue to surround these devastated families and communities in prayer, "Franklin Graham told the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB).
The NRB has sent out a newsletter calling on its members and the Christian community to intercede for the people of Central Texas. The newsletter notes that "Officials have described the flooding as one of the deadliest natural disasters in Texas history."
"There are no words to describe the devastation and heartbreak that has taken place in Texas. We have seen some of the most innocent lives lost to the unexpected flood waters that overcame the Guadalupe River. Communities [have] been wiped out. Families have been torn apart," Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT, told the NRB. "Our chaplains are already on the ground providing a ministry of presence at reunification sites. These crisis-trained volunteers and staff will be in Texas providing spiritual and emotional care to those affected as long as needed."
It's anticipated that another 9-12 inches of rain could fall. The Kerr County Fire Department alerted citizens via their social media picked up by USA Today to leave the area right away, and that, "We are seeing the same weather pattern today that we experienced on July 4th − and we know how quickly that turned deadly," the fire department spokesperson told NBC News.
As of late Sunday morning, the Lampasas River winds through several central Texas counties and has surged more than 30 feet in five hours. That's considered a major flood stage. Sunday night, the San Saba River is anticipated to reach 30 feet, which is also a major flood stage. During the July 4 flooding, the Guadalupe River rapidly rose beyond 20 feet in last weekend's flooding.
Flood Alerts Now Stretch Beyond Texas
According to NBC News, 20 million people are under flood alerts stretching from New Mexico to Texas, as well as western New York and Pennsylvania.
President Trump issued a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Burnet, Kerr, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis, Williamson, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, and Menard counties. This will allow residents and businesses to be eligible for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance program, according to a statement released by Governor Greg Abbot's office.
Points of intercession that are being suggested by the NRB include:
- Prayer for grieving families who have lost family and friends.
- Prayer for those still searching for loved ones.
- Prayer for the emergency responders
- Prayer for local churches and ministries as they serve their neighbors with compassion and courage.
- Prayer for NRB member organizations as they extend Christ's love.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Brandon Bell/Staff
Originally published July 14, 2025.
