Flash flood hits Albany after 5-inch downpour
Albany experienced a sudden downpour Thursday night, July 3, when more than five inches of rain fell in roughly two hours, leading to brief flash flooding across town. Though several roads were overtaken by rising water, no serious injuries were reported and property damage remained limited.
Sheriff Ed Miller said Main Street near the train depot saw an unusual amount of water, with rising runoff briefly shutting down the roadway. “Everything was fine until around 8 p.m., then Main Street was underwater,” he said. “We had five inches come down quick.”
Other impacted areas included 283 North near the TxDOT yard, Breckenridge Street, and High School Hill. A car was swept into a creek on Breckenridge Street and came to rest in a goat pasture, but bystanders were able to safely rescue the driver. A family from Lubbock travelling to Possum Kingdom hydroplaned just east of town, causing vehicle damage and damage to a fence, but all passengers were uninjured.
“We were fortunate,” Miller added. “Three hours later, the water was gone. No one was seriously hurt.”
The same storm system caused unimaginable devastation further south. In Kerr County, Central Texas, at least 109 people were confirmed dead and more than 30 remained missing after catastrophic flooding swept through the area, including a deadly surge along the Guadalupe River. Among the victims were 28 children, many of whom were attending Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp near Hunt, Texas.
The floodwaters rose nearly 30 feet in less than an hour, described by survivors as a “pitch-black wall of water.” Dozens of campers and staff were swept away. The tragedy prompted a major emergency response, with more than 850 people rescued across the region.
In response to the devastation, several local organizations have begun gathering donations to assist those affected in Kerr and Hunt counties. The Shackelford County Rural Volunteer Fire Department has partnered with the Albany Volunteer Fire Department, Moran Fire Department, and Moran Rural Volunteer Fire Department to collect specific items and gift cards.
Joel Viertel, Chief of the Albany VFD, said the goal is to deliver a trailer or two of supplies this week.
Drop-offs can be coordinated through the following fire chiefs:
•Brad Henry, SCRVFD: 325-762-0974
•Joel Viertel, AVFD: 325-762-0516
•Tyler George, MVFD: 325-660-4906
•Randall Williams, MRVFD: 325-762-6450
The Albany FFA Chapter is running a gift card donation drive July 7–11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Cards can be dropped off with Molly Cauble at Momentum, and preferred cards include Walmart, HEB, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Visa/Mastercard. For questions, contact Chris Beard at 325-762-4688.
In addition to donation efforts, Albany Fire Chief Joel Viertel is coordinating a team of six local volunteer firefighters to assist in search and rescue operations in Centerpoint. The group arrived in the affected area on Tuesday and will be working on the ground alongside other emergency responders. More information about their efforts will be included in next week’s edition.
