Major flooding pushed the Pedernales River in Fredericksburg to 34 feet just before 10 a.m. Thursday, according to the Lower Colorado River Authority. That’s the highest flood stage since June of 1979, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters say the river could crest at nearly 35 feet later this morning, according to an NWS forecast just before 10 a.m.
The river’s banks jumped from just 9 feet at 4 a.m. Thursday to nearly 33 feet in just five hours.
The NWS is cautioning residents to seek higher ground in affected areas along both the Guadalupe and Pedernales rivers and said the rivers will likely have “multiple crests” on Thursday, meaning the water levels could subside briefly before another surge of floodwater.
“This can create a false sense of security, as rivers are likely to experience a brief recession before the next flood wave arrives,” the NWS said on social media.
