Exclusive: The Last Text from Westlake Grad Before Hill Country Floods Swept Him Away – Family Speaks Out
Introduction: A Community in Mourning After Flash Flooding in Texas
AUSTIN, Texas, July 19 (Reuters) – Flash flooding in Texas’s Hill Country this week killed at least two people, including a recent Westlake High School graduate. The storm system dumped over 10 inches of rain in 12 hours, triggering a surge along the Guadalupe River. The Upper Guadalupe River Authority activated new sirens. But for one family, the warning came too late.
The Tragic Loss of a Westlake Graduate in the Hill Country Floods
The victim, identified by his family as 22-year-old James “Jimmy” Hartnett, was a 2022 graduate of Westlake High School in the Eanes Independent School District. His body was recovered near a low-water crossing on July 17. The family confirmed the identity exclusively to Reuters.
Hartnett was driving home from a friend’s house. He sent a text message at 10:47 p.m. Central Time. “It said, ‘Water is rising fast. I’m trying to turn around,’” his mother, Sarah Hartnett, told Reuters. “That was the last we heard.” The vehicle was swept off the road by a wall of water estimated at 4 feet deep, according to Kerr County Sheriff’s Office records.
How New Flood Sirens and Warning Upgrades Helped Kerr County During This Week’s Flooding
Kerr County activated its upgraded flood warning system, installed by the Upper Guadalupe River Authority in June 2026. The system includes 12 new sirens and real-time water-level sensors. Data from the National Weather Service shows sirens sounded in 14 zones, covering 90% of the county’s flood-prone areas.
Yet the system has gaps. Hartnett’s location—a rural road not covered by the siren network—received no audio alert. “The sirens helped in populated areas, but they can’t cover every backroad,” said Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator Tom Ricks. “We are reviewing coverage maps.”
‘Lost a Legend’: Kerrville Man Dies in Home Swept Away by Flooding
In a separate incident, 68-year-old Robert ‘Bobby’ Delgado died when his mobile home was swept off its foundation in Kerrville. The structure, located near the Guadalupe River, was unmoored by the current. Rescue teams recovered his body two miles downstream.
His daughter, Maria Delgado, spoke to KERA News: “He was a legend in this town. A mechanic. Always helping others. The evacuation order came at 1 a.m. By then, the water was already in the house.” The family is calling for earlier mandatory evacuation orders for mobile home parks.
Broader Impact of Flash Flooding in Texas Hill Country
The July 2026 storm system stalled over the Texas Hill Country for 18 hours. Rainfall totals exceeded 12 inches in parts of Kerr and Kendall counties. The Guadalupe River surged to 24.5 feet, topping the moderate flood stage by 5 feet. Seventeen roads were closed, and at least four bridges sustained structural damage.
Preliminary data from the Texas Department of Transportation indicates 43 vehicles were stranded. Total property damage is estimated at $12 million, according to local emergency management sources.
Prevention and Safety: Lessons from Kerr County’s Flood Upgrades
The Upper Guadalupe River Authority’s upgraded system includes automated sirens triggered by river gauge readings at 18 feet. The system also sends push alerts to registered smartphones. “This technology saved lives,” Ricks said. “We estimate at least 50 people evacuated who would not have otherwise.”
Comparison of alert systems:
| Feature | Kerr County (Upgraded) | Texas State Average |
|---|---|---|
| Siren coverage area | 90% of flood zones | 65% |
| Real-time river gauges | 14 | 7 per county |
| Push alert opt-in rate | 42% | 28% |
| Average warning lead time | 45 minutes | 22 minutes |
State officials say other counties, including Comal and Hays, are now considering similar upgrades. The Texas Division of Emergency Management has allocated $4 million for siren expansion in 2027.
Family’s Message: ‘Check the warnings, don’t wait’
In an exclusive interview, Hartnett’s parents urged the public to heed flood warnings. “Jimmy thought he could make it. He was wrong,” his father, David Hartnett, said. “If you see water on the road, turn around. Don’t rely on a text.”
Maria Delgado echoed that sentiment: “Bobby had 30 minutes to leave. He didn’t think the water would rise so fast. It did. We need earlier warnings, especially for mobile homes.”
Conclusion: Remembering the Victims of Flash Flooding in Texas
The Hill Country floods of July 2026 have claimed two lives, with one person still missing. The upgraded siren system in Kerr County proved effective but not comprehensive. As officials review response times and coverage gaps, the families of the victims are left with only memories and a stark message: act on the warnings. The text message from Jimmy Hartnett is a final, factual record of what happens when the water rises too fast.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What caused the flash flooding in Texas’s Hill Country?
- A: A storm system dumped over 10 inches of rain in 12 hours, causing a surge along the Guadalupe River.
- Q: Who was the victim of the Hill Country floods?
- A: James ‘Jimmy’ Hartnett, a 22-year-old Westlake High School graduate from the class of 2022.
- Q: What was the last text sent by the victim?
- A: He texted his mother at 10:47 p.m.: ‘Water is rising fast. I’m trying to turn around.’
- Q: Did the new flood sirens help during the flooding?
- A: Kerr County activated upgraded sirens installed in June 2026, but the warning came too late for Hartnett.
Extended Reading
Sources for this report include interviews with the Hartnett and Delgado families, Kerr County Emergency Management, the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, and data from the National Weather Service. Additional reporting by Reuters.