BOERNE — In the early hours of Friday, Kerr County suffered catastrophic flooding when the waters of the Guadalupe River swelled to 30 feet above normal levels. Homes, businesses, cabins, campgrounds and many youth camps along the river were swept away.
By early-morning the Kendall County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated and reached out to members of the Kendall Amateur Radio Society (KARS) for assistance.
KARS is a Texas nonprofit corporation organized and operated to advance the knowledge of amateur radio service in Kendall County, and to support the city of Boerne, Kendall and surrounding counties with emergency radio communications.
KARS has developed a close relationship with county and city officials through past events; the October 2023 and April 2024 eclipses, and the 2025 ARRL Field Day, an event held only six days prior to this incident.
The Kendall County EOC requested the radio operators activate their amateur radio net for any flooding-related observations occurring in the area. The KARS local repeater net was activated and members reported flood observations, which were then forwarded to the EOC. July 5 saw the EOC develop a plan to have the amateur radio operators paired with various search and rescue/recovery teams, providing emergency communications support. The team began their efforts the following morning at the Kerr/Kendall County line by operating out of the Comfort Volunteer Fire Department.
Sunday saw more than 100 search and rescue teams, firefighters, cadaver dog teams and KARS members report to the Comfort station. Following a briefing, teams were put together, radio operators were assigned and the teams proceeded to their designated search areas.
KARS radio operators would report back using Handie-Talkies (HTs), via a KARS local repeater, to KARS Net Control which was located at the Comfort VFD. Information was passed on, such as position reports, items found, any additional support needed and when the team was returning to base.
Over the next five days, SAR teams, firefighters, cadaver dog teams and KARS members along with many volunteer amateur radio operators from several surrounding counties, continued these daily routines.
On Friday, July 11, KARS was notified the EOC operations were shutting down and being taken over by state and federal assets.
The Kendall Amateur Radio Society would like to thank Kendall County officials for having faith in their ability to be a positive asset with this terrible disaster. It also issued thanks to the 45 volunteer amateur radio operators from across Texas tat showed up to assist KARS during the tragedy.
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