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Flooding at the low water crossing on River Ranch Drive.
Photo by Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
Video by Kenai Jerome
July 16, 2026
Flash flood warning extended, Medina Lake up 19 feet in one week
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
The National Weather Service has extended the flash flood warning for Bandera County. At 9:35 a.m. today, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing more heavy rain, placing Bandera County in a four of four risk for considerable to locally catastrophic flash flooding with pockets of 10 to 15 inches possible. Rainfall is likely to diminish in intensity and coverage by this afternoon, however activity is expected to redevelop overnight.
The Bandera Marshal’s Office reported a surge of water is making its way from the North Prong, and the Medina River is expected to crest before noon today at around 25 feet.
“If you are in a low-lying or flood-prone area, remain on higher ground and do not return to affected areas until officials determine it is safe to do so. Please do not travel unless absolutely necessary. Road conditions can change rapidly, and even shallow moving water can be extremely dangerous. Do not drive around barricades. They have been placed to protect both our community and the first responders working tirelessly to keep everyone safe. Going around a barricade puts your life and the lives of emergency personnel at unnecessary risk,” the Bandera Marshal’s Office stated in a public service announcement.
City Administrator Toni Kunz issued a statement that the city Department of Public Works is monitoring road conditions and clearing road debris.
“We are not sure about the park this weekend, but we will assess it tomorrow and report back,” Kunz stated. “It is a very different feeling to keep an eye on these storms as the City of Bandera's city administrator and just starting my seventh week. I am extremely grateful that the storms over past few days ended up being a fairly routine flooding around here. It wouldn't have taken much for things to end up very differently for us.”
The Silver Sage is open and serving as an emergency shelter. Yesterday, 21 people evacuated from the RV parks along the Medina River spent the night.
“We have cots set up for those needing a place to sleep. If you need us, we are here,” Art Crawford said.
Unfortunately, Meals on Wheels will not be delivered today.
“It is just not safe for us to have our vehicles and our volunteers out on the roads yet,” Crawford said. “We will be calling every client and checking in on them. If someone is need, we will get food to them.”
The Silver Sage is open for lunch.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Bandera County, and all Bandera ISD locations are closed.
The Bandera County Sheriff's Office is continuously monitoring roads that are unpassable, advising motorists to not cross barricades. As of 9:50 a.m., the following roadways are currently closed due to high water and flooding in Bandera County, according to the BCSO:
• Privilege Creek Road at Bear Creek
• Old School Road
• Cornelius Road
• Bandera Creek
• Privilege Creek
• Panther Hill
• Carpenters Creek
• Jackson Creek (1st Crossing)
• Old Mill Creek
• Thompson Road
• Spears Road
• 2107/Medina River
• S Seco Creek/Seco Pass
• Mazurek Road
• Williams Creek Road
• Spring Road/Lost Creek
• Reid Road
• Madrona Ranch Road
• Ross Road/Hondo Creek
• Chaparral Court
• Thomas Creek Road
• Willow Springs Drive (SH 16 side)
• Bumpgate (SH 16 side & FM 1283 side)
• Winans Creek
• Backhaus Road
• 2107/Rocky Creek
• 1st/Pecan
• Heisler Road
• Lower Mason Creek Road
• Chipman Lane
• Bear Springs Road
• Bridge @ Beekman Creek Road
• Band R
• Peaceful Valley (Crossing - SH 16N)
• Flying L is not accessible
• Doe Creek
• San Julian Creek @ SH 173
• South Goat Ridge Road bridge
• Maple @ 14th
• Alamo Beach Road
• SH 16 near Barrel House
• English Crossing Bridge
• SH 16 South @ Red Bluff Creek
• Center Street
• Laurel Creek
• New Northup bridge
• 187/River Haven
• Hackberry @ 11th/Main
• North Little Creek
• Moffett Road
• Old San Antonio
• Freeman Cross/ SH 16 North
Finally, as of this morning, the Medina Lake is at 1,010.26 feet - 19.9 percent capacity, up 10.9 percent from one week ago, when the mean water level was 991.07 feet.
The Bandera Marshal’s Office reported a surge of water is making its way from the North Prong, and the Medina River is expected to crest before noon today at around 25 feet.
“If you are in a low-lying or flood-prone area, remain on higher ground and do not return to affected areas until officials determine it is safe to do so. Please do not travel unless absolutely necessary. Road conditions can change rapidly, and even shallow moving water can be extremely dangerous. Do not drive around barricades. They have been placed to protect both our community and the first responders working tirelessly to keep everyone safe. Going around a barricade puts your life and the lives of emergency personnel at unnecessary risk,” the Bandera Marshal’s Office stated in a public service announcement.
City Administrator Toni Kunz issued a statement that the city Department of Public Works is monitoring road conditions and clearing road debris.
“We are not sure about the park this weekend, but we will assess it tomorrow and report back,” Kunz stated. “It is a very different feeling to keep an eye on these storms as the City of Bandera's city administrator and just starting my seventh week. I am extremely grateful that the storms over past few days ended up being a fairly routine flooding around here. It wouldn't have taken much for things to end up very differently for us.”
The Silver Sage is open and serving as an emergency shelter. Yesterday, 21 people evacuated from the RV parks along the Medina River spent the night.
“We have cots set up for those needing a place to sleep. If you need us, we are here,” Art Crawford said.
Unfortunately, Meals on Wheels will not be delivered today.
“It is just not safe for us to have our vehicles and our volunteers out on the roads yet,” Crawford said. “We will be calling every client and checking in on them. If someone is need, we will get food to them.”
The Silver Sage is open for lunch.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Bandera County, and all Bandera ISD locations are closed.
The Bandera County Sheriff's Office is continuously monitoring roads that are unpassable, advising motorists to not cross barricades. As of 9:50 a.m., the following roadways are currently closed due to high water and flooding in Bandera County, according to the BCSO:
• Privilege Creek Road at Bear Creek
• Old School Road
• Cornelius Road
• Bandera Creek
• Privilege Creek
• Panther Hill
• Carpenters Creek
• Jackson Creek (1st Crossing)
• Old Mill Creek
• Thompson Road
• Spears Road
• 2107/Medina River
• S Seco Creek/Seco Pass
• Mazurek Road
• Williams Creek Road
• Spring Road/Lost Creek
• Reid Road
• Madrona Ranch Road
• Ross Road/Hondo Creek
• Chaparral Court
• Thomas Creek Road
• Willow Springs Drive (SH 16 side)
• Bumpgate (SH 16 side & FM 1283 side)
• Winans Creek
• Backhaus Road
• 2107/Rocky Creek
• 1st/Pecan
• Heisler Road
• Lower Mason Creek Road
• Chipman Lane
• Bear Springs Road
• Bridge @ Beekman Creek Road
• Band R
• Peaceful Valley (Crossing - SH 16N)
• Flying L is not accessible
• Doe Creek
• San Julian Creek @ SH 173
• South Goat Ridge Road bridge
• Maple @ 14th
• Alamo Beach Road
• SH 16 near Barrel House
• English Crossing Bridge
• SH 16 South @ Red Bluff Creek
• Center Street
• Laurel Creek
• New Northup bridge
• 187/River Haven
• Hackberry @ 11th/Main
• North Little Creek
• Moffett Road
• Old San Antonio
• Freeman Cross/ SH 16 North
Finally, as of this morning, the Medina Lake is at 1,010.26 feet - 19.9 percent capacity, up 10.9 percent from one week ago, when the mean water level was 991.07 feet.