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4d ago

FAA Tightens Airspace Over Texas Hill Country Flood Zone

Strict clearances with real-time tracking shield rescue helicopters from drone interference, alerting law enforcement to every violation

Camp Mystic along the Guadalupe River. Pilots seeking to fly over some Hill Country counties must get state clearance.
A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter flies over a bridge along the Guadalupe River in Center Point, Texas, Monday morning, July 7, 2025. The FAA ban, announced Thursday by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, comes after Kerrville city officials warned "sightseers" to keep away from the impacted areas.
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Overview

  • The FAA’s temporary flight restriction bars all unauthorized aircraft and drones from operating over affected Hill Country counties.
  • Pilots must receive clearance through the state’s Air Operations Center before entering the restricted zone, with movements monitored by the Joint Air Ground Coordination Team.
  • Active drone detection systems have been deployed across the flood zone to identify and document any unauthorized flights.
  • Documented violations of the no-fly order are forwarded to local law enforcement and the FBI for investigation and grounding.
  • The July 4 floods have claimed at least 96 lives and left 161 people missing, highlighting the critical need for uninterrupted search and rescue operations.