City declares local disaster as Medina River forecast to reach major flood stage

The City of Bandera declared a local state of disaster Thursday as the Medina River continued rising rapidly and the National Weather Service warned major flooding is expected through early Saturday morning.

Mayor Denise Griffin signed the declaration Thursday after the Medina River rose to 11.04 feet by 5 p.m., climbing approximately 2 feet in one hour as floodwaters made their way downstream from the North Prong of the Medina River.

The declaration states the city "has suffered and is continuing to suffer widespread or severe damage, injury, and/or loss of property resulting from severe flooding" that began with heavy rainfall on July 13.