safety
‘There was nobody out here. It was me.’: First responder recalls day the flood hit Hunt
By Andrea Slaydon, Beth Peak at KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 7, 2026
· 6 min read
When Sgt. Tyler Cottonware woke up before dawn that morning, he expected a busy day.The City of Kerrville Police sergeant had plans to work the Fourth of July festivities. He knew it had rained overnight. He knew flooding was possible.What he didn’t know was that within hours he would find himsel...
Key takeaway “I woke up at about 3:45,” Cottonware recalled.
Why this matters in Magnolia News
For Magnolia residents, the story of Sgt. Tyler Cottonware's heroic efforts during the flood in Hunt serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of severe weather on local communities. While Magnolia itself was not directly affected by this particular flood, the incident highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and response in Montgomery County. The fact that flooding is a regular occurrence in the Hill Country, yet this event still caught residents off guard, underscores the need for continued investment in flood mitigation and emergency response infrastructure. As Magnolia continues to grow and develop, it is crucial that local officials and residents remain vigilant and proactive in addressing flood risks, ensuring that the community is equipped to respond to and recover from such disasters. By learning from the experiences of neighboring communities like Hunt, Magnolia can work towards building a more resilient and safe environment for its residents.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) . Magnolia News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? When Sgt. Tyler Cottonware woke up before dawn that morning, he expected a busy day.The City of Kerrville Police sergeant had plans to work the Fourth of July festivities. He knew it had rained overnight. He knew flooding was possible.What he didn’t know was that within hours he would find himsel...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for Magnolia News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Andrea Slaydon, Beth Peak at KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Magnolia News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Magnolia News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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