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 The Piney Point
For residents of Piney Point Village , the story of Sgt. Tyler Cottonware's heroic efforts during the flood in Hunt serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of severe weather events on local communities. While Piney Point Village is located in a different part of Texas, the threat of flooding is a shared concern across the region. The fact that flooding is a regular occurrence in the Hill Country, yet residents were still unprepared for the catastrophic event that unfolded, highlights the need for ongoing emergency preparedness and response efforts in our own community. As Piney Point Village continues to grow and develop, it is crucial that local authorities and residents remain vigilant and proactive in addressing flood risk and ensuring that first responders have the resources they need to respond effectively in emergency situations.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point 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 The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Andrea Slaydon, Beth Peak at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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