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In one hour, the Medina River rose about seven inches; in two hours, it rose two feet.
Photo and video by Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Medina River at Bandera City Park.
July 16, 2026
Bandera mayor issues disaster declaration
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
As of 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, the Medina River has risen to 11.04 feet, approximately two feet in one hour. With moderate to major flooding expected as water journeys from the North Prong, City of Bandera Mayor Denise Griffin has issued a Declaration of Disaster.
The National Weather Service extended the flash flood warning for Bandera County, placing Bandera County in a four of four risk for considerable to locally catastrophic flash flooding. One more round of heavy rainfall is expected to continue overnight across portions of the Hill Country, excerbating flash flood issues.
The Bandera Marshal’s Office reported a surge of water continues to make its way from the North Prong, which will swell the Medina River to moderate to major flood status.
“Whereas, the City of Bandera, in the County of Bandera, in the state of Texas, on this 16th day of July, 2026, has suffered and is continuing to suffer widespread or severe damage, injury, and/or loss of property resulting from severe flooding from a weather event that brought rain that began overnight on the 13th day of July, 2026 and continues; and, Whereas, the Mayor of Bandera has determined that extraordinary measures must be taken to alleviate the suffering of our community and to protect or rehabilitate property; … be it proclaimed by the mayor of Bandera: 1. A local state of disaster is hereby declared for the City of Bandera,” the declaration states.
The National Weather Service extended the flash flood warning for Bandera County, placing Bandera County in a four of four risk for considerable to locally catastrophic flash flooding. One more round of heavy rainfall is expected to continue overnight across portions of the Hill Country, excerbating flash flood issues.
The Bandera Marshal’s Office reported a surge of water continues to make its way from the North Prong, which will swell the Medina River to moderate to major flood status.
“Whereas, the City of Bandera, in the County of Bandera, in the state of Texas, on this 16th day of July, 2026, has suffered and is continuing to suffer widespread or severe damage, injury, and/or loss of property resulting from severe flooding from a weather event that brought rain that began overnight on the 13th day of July, 2026 and continues; and, Whereas, the Mayor of Bandera has determined that extraordinary measures must be taken to alleviate the suffering of our community and to protect or rehabilitate property; … be it proclaimed by the mayor of Bandera: 1. A local state of disaster is hereby declared for the City of Bandera,” the declaration states.
