A chilling timelapse video has captured just how rapidly the Llano River surged out of its banks on July 4, transforming the Texas Hill Country into a disaster zone in mere minutes. The footage, taken near Kingsland—a beloved local swimming spot known as “the slab”—shows the calm river transforming into a raging force in just over 10 minutes.
At around 5:14 p.m., flash flooding began as a powerful storm system dumped torrential rain across the region. By 5:30 p.m., the river had swallowed roads, forcing authorities to frantically block crossings and evacuate drivers as the water rose alarmingly fast.
So far, at least 100 people have been confirmed dead, with the hardest-hit area being Kerr County, roughly 100 miles southwest of the Kingsland footage. Many victims were young girls attending a summer camp when the sudden floodwaters tore through low-lying grounds with little warning. Dozens are still missing, and rescue crews continue their search, combing debris-filled waterways and devastated campgrounds.
Meteorologists say this disaster was the result of a stalled storm system that unleashed several inches of rain in just hours, overwhelming rivers and creeks already swollen from earlier downpours. Despite flash flood warnings, many residents were unprepared for how swiftly the water would rise.
As cleanup begins and families wait anxiously for news of loved ones, this tragedy is a stark reminder of nature’s power—and how quickly life can change when rivers rise faster than anyone can run. For now, communities across central Texas are bracing for more rain this week, hoping the worst is over.
