[TexasRepublic]

Dittomom, since you know where Bandera is, I'll tell you about a larger rain and flood there than this. About 20 years ago a hurricane blew inland and dumped 36 inches of rain in a very short time in the Hill Country above Bandera. The floodwaters rose over 40 feet above the riverbed in areas between Medina and Bandera, where our cabin still remains. This is no exaggeration, I saw clothing and furniture up in the remaining treetops. Eight of our neighbors were killed - nothing of their houses along the river remained except concrete slabs. Most of the *huge* centuries-old cypress trees were snapped like toothpicks. The floating debris of trees scoured anything in their way like battering rams. The stories I heard from survivors were hair-raising!

[dittomom]

Ouch. We lived in San Antonio from 1980 - 1984, I think I know what you're talking about.

The news is saying that the town of Bandera is completely cut off. You can't get in or out of there via Route 16 or 173. They said the Medina River was 19 feet above flood stage right now.

Here's a photo (taken with a web cam so quality isn't good) of the view from our condo. That's the Medina River running from the top to the bottom of the photo and the creek (formerly a dry wash on Saturday) is running into the river from right to left.

[Augustus McCrae]

I remember that one. Use to travel the road to Hondo fm Bandera and that rain washed out a bridge over one of those "dry" creek beds.