Media and private drones are hindering flood rescue air efforts – and one even crashed into and downed a search helicopter – the Kerrville, Texas Police Department reports.

In response to the past weekend’s deadly flash floods in Texas, Temporary Flight Restrictions were issued to clear the airways for emergency responders to search for and rescue victims…apparently to no avail.

“Media operated drones are interfering with official search and rescue drones,” the Kerrville Police Department reported Sunday morning, noting that the drones were violating a no-fly zone:

“There is a no fly zone in Kerr County for private drones. We need cooperation in this matter. Let our first responders do their jobs.”

“Kerrville and Kerr County is still under a Temporary Flight Restriction. This means no drones. They are interfering with our air operations,” the Kerrville Police Department reiterated Monday morning in a social media post telling the public to stay out of their way:

“Our first responders were hampered by heavy traffic yesterday, mostly sightseers who are making things worse. If you’re not from here, don’t come here to see flood damage. If you live here, avoid the river corridor so our first responders can do their jobs.”

Later that day, a private drone ignored the flight ban and crashed into an emergency response helicopter, taking it out of service, the City of Kerrville reported:

“This afternoon, a private drone illegally operating in restricted airspace collided with a helicopter involved in emergency operations in Kerr County. The helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing, and a critical piece of response equipment is now out of service until further notice.”

But, instead of scaring off the private drones violating the flight restriction, the midair “drone strike” only attracted more of them, the police department said in response to the city’s post:

“Immediately after this helicopter was forced to land due to damage caused by a drone strike, multiple private drones were flying overhead in violation of the Temporary Flight Restrictions. This dangerous situation was made worse by the presence of these illegally operated drones.”

“Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are not suggestions,” the city’s post says, explaining that violating the restrictions is both illegal and dangerous:

“They are federal airspace rules designed to protect lives during emergency situations. When you fly a drone in restricted areas, you’re not just breaking the law -- you’re putting first responders, emergency crews, and the public at serious risk.”