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 / 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 Tomball News
For Tomball residents, the devastating flood in Hunt is a stark reminder of the potential for catastrophic flooding in our own community. As a city located in Harris County, we are no strangers to the dangers of heavy rainfall and high water. The fact that Sgt. Cottonware, an experienced first responder, was caught off guard by the severity of the flooding in Hunt should give us pause. It highlights the need for continued investment in flood mitigation and emergency preparedness efforts in our own city. The heroism displayed by Sgt. Cottonware and other first responders in Hunt is a testament to the bravery and selflessness of those who put their lives on the line to protect others. As we reflect on the events in Hunt, we should consider what measures we can take in Tomball to prevent similar disasters and ensure that our own first responders are equipped to respond to emergencies.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Tomball 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 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / 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 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for Tomball News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Andrea Slaydon, Beth Peak at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Tomball News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Tomball News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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