This Week in Garden Ridge
Central Texas Flooding Continues; Kerr County Hit a Second Time
Another round of severe flooding struck Kerr County this week, compounding damage from historic floodwaters that devastated the community just one year ago. Multiple flash-flood warnings were issued across the region, and some residents in southwest Texas were urged to evacuate during heavy downpours. Fire departments from as far as Gainesville were called in to assist with the ongoing response.
Only 7% of Texas Homes Carry Flood Insurance — a Number Worth Knowing
As South Texas communities shift from flood response to recovery, CBS Texas reported this week that only about 7% of homes in the state carry flood insurance. Officials are fielding questions about insurance coverage and the potential role of federal aid as communities face what are being described as growing disaster risks. Changes to FEMA's structure are also under discussion at the federal level, adding uncertainty to the recovery picture.
New Flood Sirens and Warning Upgrades Credited With Helping Kerr County Response
KSAT reported that new flood sirens and warning system upgrades are being credited with improving the emergency response in Kerr County during this week's flooding event. The infrastructure investments, put in place after last year's disaster, gave residents and responders more lead time. The contrast between this year's response and last year's is drawing attention from emergency management observers across the region.
Flea-Borne Typhus Cases Rising Across Central Texas This Summer
A 12-year-old Waco athlete spent six days in the hospital after flea-borne typhus triggered septic shock, and her treating physician says he is seeing higher-than-usual case numbers across Central Texas this summer. KWTX reported that the illness, while treatable, can escalate quickly if not caught early. Residents with outdoor pets or frequent yard exposure should be aware of the elevated risk this season.
Floodwaters Recede in South Texas as Recovery Efforts Begin
After days of severe weather across the region, floodwaters are beginning to recede in South Texas and affected communities are turning toward the recovery phase. KSAT reported a notable turnaround in one area lake's water levels, which had been near record lows during years of drought and has now rebounded sharply. The rapid swing from drought conditions to flood conditions reflects a pattern that emergency planners across the state are working to address.
Real Estate Market
Homes.com currently shows approximately 30 single-family homes listed for sale in Garden Ridge — a relatively thin inventory for a community of its size, and a figure that continues to shape the dynamic between buyers and sellers here. One active listing at 9611 Azalea Circle — a 3-bed, 2.5-bath home at just over 3,000 square feet — has been on the market for 10 days, which is roughly consistent with a market where well-priced properties move but don't necessarily sprint. That kind of absorption pace suggests neither a panicked seller's rush nor a buyer's free-for-all; it's a measured market, which is what Garden Ridge tends to produce.
The broader regional context is worth watching. Houston's median sale price sits at $360,000 with homes averaging 94 days on market, and Dallas is running around $467,000 — both figures down modestly year-over-year. Garden Ridge, as a luxury-oriented enclave north of San Antonio, doesn't track perfectly with either metro, but softening price pressure in major Texas markets is a data point that informed buyers are already noting. The question for Garden Ridge sellers isn't whether demand exists — it does — but whether pricing expectations have kept pace with where the market actually is in mid-2026.
This week's flood news has a secondary relevance for real estate that shouldn't be overlooked. The statistic that only 7% of Texas homes carry flood insurance is a due-diligence issue, not just a headline. Buyers in any Hill Country-adjacent community should be asking about flood zone designations, historical water intrusion, and insurance availability before closing. Garden Ridge's elevation and development patterns generally offer favorable conditions compared to low-lying areas, but that conversation belongs in every transaction regardless. Sellers who can document their property's flood history — or lack thereof — are in a stronger position to justify their ask.