Communities across the Texas Hill Country are facing another difficult recovery after catastrophic flooding claimed at least two lives, required hundreds of water rescues, and caused widespread damage to farms, ranches, and livestock operations.

More than two feet of rain fell across parts of the region in less than a week, sending water rapidly through rural communities and agricultural land. Areas near Kerrville reportedly received 15 to 20 inches of rain, while Uvalde recorded more than 26 inches during the week.

The Guadalupe River rose approximately 32 feet in only four hours as water moved through overwhelmed watersheds. By Friday morning, emergency crews had conducted more than 230 water rescues.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller declared an Agricultural Emergency for the affected areas, activating Texas Department of Agriculture resources to support farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses as recovery begins.

Agricultural Operations Face Multiple Types of Loss

The flooding has affected nearly every part of some agricultural operations. Reported damage includes:

-Damaged crops

-Washed-out fencing

-Submerged grazing land

-Disrupted transportation routes

-Flooded buildings and agricultural infrastructure

-Displaced or endangered livestock

At Corrival Ranch near Boerne, ranch employees and volunteers worked together to move approximately 80 horses to safety. About 30 horses were rescued from flooded stalls, while another 50 were relocated from other threatened areas of the property.

Although the heaviest rainfall has shifted, saturated soil and elevated waterways continue to create risks. Additional rainfall could cause further flash flooding and delay safe access to affected properties.

What the Flooding Means for Agricultural Claims

For insurance and claims professionals, the Texas flooding demonstrates how quickly one weather event can create several connected losses across an agricultural operation.

A farm or ranch may experience damage to fencing, barns, roads, equipment, stored feed, pastures, crops, and livestock at the same time. Flooded or washed-out roads can also prevent producers, adjusters, veterinarians, contractors, and emergency crews from reaching damaged property.

As conditions become safe, early documentation may help preserve the condition and location of damaged property before cleanup, livestock movement, emergency repairs, or additional weather changes the scene. Helpful records may include:

-Photographs and videos of water levels and visible damage

-Livestock inventories and records of animals moved, injured, or lost

-Equipment, feed, and supply inventories

-Maps or photographs showing damaged fences, pastures, roads, and buildings

-Receipts for emergency transportation, temporary fencing, feed, cleanup, and repairs

-Rainfall totals, evacuation details, dates, and access restrictions

Claims professionals may also need to determine whether losses resulted from flooding, moving water, prolonged submersion, erosion, debris impact, contamination, or a combination of causes. Policy language, coverage, and documentation requirements will vary, making a careful investigation especially important.

Recovery Resources Available

The Texas Department of Agriculture has activated several resources for affected producers:

-STAR Fund: Provides grants to eligible farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses for the repair or replacement of agricultural infrastructure damaged by natural disasters.

-Hay and Feed Hotline: Connects livestock producers with available hay and feed during emergencies.

-AgriStress Helpline: Provides free, confidential, 24/7 support from professionals who understand the pressures facing agricultural communities.

As floodwaters recede, the full extent of the damage—and the work of recovery—will take time to understand. Our thoughts remain with the families who lost loved ones and with the producers, rural communities, emergency responders, and volunteers affected by the flooding.

For claims professionals responding to these losses, safe access, thoughtful communication, careful documentation, and an understanding of how damage across an agricultural operation may be connected will all be important in the days ahead.

Source: AGDAILY, “Texas flooding batters ranches, prompts agricultural emergency,” published July 17, 2026.

Read the original AGDAILY report