In the summer of 1987, Cindy Manley worked as a camp counselor along the Guadalupe River in Texas’ Hill Country, an area known for its sudden and dangerous floods. That year, a fierce flood swept through the region during mid-July, leaving a mark on many who were there. The flood was fast and powerful, forcing hundreds, including children at local camps, to scramble for safety.
The Heart O’ the Hills camp, situated right on the Guadalupe River, was one of the places caught up in the storm. Back then, camps used an informal warning system: if the river started to rise upstream, word would spread so everyone could move to higher ground quickly. Despite those efforts, the 1987 flood still caused major damage. One tragic story came from the camp director, Jane Ragsdale, who was hurt by a floating canoe in the chaos. Sadly, Ragsdale was among more than 100 people who lost their lives in the deadly flood that surrounded the July Fourth holiday, with many deaths occurring in nearby Kerr County.
Manley recalls how different this flood felt compared to others. “Jane knows floods better than anyone,” Manley said. “There’s no way she would have stayed in her house if she thought it was dangerous.” Her words highlight just how sudden and deadly these floods can be in this part of Texas.
This isn’t the first time the Guadalupe River has caused serious trouble. The area is called “Flash Flood Alley” because the landscape funnels rainwater quickly into narrow riverbanks. That means water levels can spike in minutes, catching people off guard.
Going further back, in 1978, a massive rainstorm dumped 30 inches of rain within just a few days. This early morning flood claimed 33 lives. Experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration noted how difficult it was to warn people or collect data when floods strike so suddenly at that hour.
Then, in the early 1990s, heavy rains drenched much of Texas over several months. In 1991 alone, relentless wet weather led to one of the largest floods the state has ever seen, including the Guadalupe River basin. At least 13 people died, and damage to farmland was widespread.
These events remind us how unpredictable and dangerous flooding can be in the Texas Hill Country. With steep hills and narrow rivers, a sudden downpour can quickly turn deadly. Communities and camps in the region have learned to be more alert, but the threat remains real—and the memories of past floods are a sobering warning.