Cibolo Creek continues to rise, causing evacuations

As rivers and creeks continue to rise in parts of the Hill Country, evacuations have begun.  In Boerne, residents living near Cibolo Creek in the Heart of Boerne, Evergreen, Yolana and West San Antonio Avenue areas are being urged to voluntarily evacuate now or prepare to shelter in place as water levels continue to rise.  Crews have closed River Road in all directions.

The City of Boerne’s Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals meeting scheduled for Wednesday has been canceled.

The City of Boerne warned residents that the flooding poses a “serious, life-threatening situation.”  Officials are providing updates on road closures, rising creek levels, power outages and evacuation areas, and are urging anyone who lives near a creek or low-water crossing to stay alert.  Residents are also reminded to avoid flooded roads and never drive around barricades.

As of 12:25 p.m., NWS announced that Boerne and other portions of South Kendall County are under a Flash Flood Emergency until 8:15 p.m.  The service described its latest alert as a “particularly dangerous situation.”  Some portions of Kendall County have experienced anywhere between 6.1 inches and 8.7 inches of rain over the last 12 hours.  As of 12:30 p.m., the city reported 20 “high-water calls” to help residents shelter in place.  “Of those calls, the Boerne Fire Department assisted three rescues where they helped walk the people to safety and one boat rescue at Herff Road and River Road,” the city said.

City of Boerne spokesperson Chris Shadrock said, “roads all across Boerne are flooded.  Roads that don’t typically flood are flooded.  Travel is discouraged all across the City of Boerne today until conditions improve.”

In Bandera County, RV parks along the Medina River are being evacuated as the river is forecast to rise nearly 14 feet.  Bandera County Judge Richard Evans has signed evacuation orders for the affected parks.  Officials are urging residents to monitor the Bandera County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for the latest evacuation information and road closures.