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) - Local
· 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 Bellaire
For Bellaire residents, the story of Sgt. Tyler Cottonware's heroic actions during the flood in Hunt serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of severe weather events. While Bellaire is not typically associated with the same level of flooding as the Hill Country, the city's proximity to Houston and its own history of flooding make it essential for residents to be prepared for such disasters. The fact that Sgt. Cottonware, an experienced first responder, was caught off guard by the severity of the flooding highlights the importance of staying informed and having a plan in place. As Bellaire continues to grow and develop, it is crucial that the city's emergency management systems and infrastructure are equipped to handle extreme weather events, and that residents are educated on how to respond in such situations. By learning from the experiences of other communities, Bellaire can work towards mitigating the risks associated with flooding and ensuring the safety of its residents.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 Click2Houston (NBC) - Local . The Bellaire 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) - Local . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 Click2Houston (NBC) - Local ·
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) - Local and curated for The Bellaire readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Andrea Slaydon, Beth Peak at KPRC 2 Click2Houston (NBC) - Local. To learn more about how The Bellaire selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Bellaire, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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