Sports bars, summer cabins and RV parks dotting its banks often feature the rugged and great Guadalupe’s name in banners and signs. For generations, Kerr County residents have gathered at the headwaters of the spring-fed river,

The rivers etching the terrain are a beloved feature of the rapidly growing region. But last week’s flooding was an agonizing reminder of the dangers they pose.

Among the mourners from last week’s deadly Hill Country floods is Dan Beazley, a man who drove 24 hours from Michigan to deliver large wooden crosses and messages of hope.

With hundreds confirmed dead or still missing, questions remain about the local response to flood warnings. Meanwhile, lawmakers will weigh measures to mitigate future disasters.