UVALDE, Texas — Catastrophic flash flooding across the Texas Hill Country has killed at least two people and prompted hundreds of rescues after days of intense rain, state officials said Thursday.
Rescues, evacuations and rivers at record levels
Gov. Greg Abbott said rescuers in boats and helicopters had saved more than 200 people, including stranded motorists and residents trapped in their homes. He said more than 2,000 first responders had been deployed to assist communities hit by the storms and that some evacuations began before the worst of the flooding.
Storms that stalled over the region dropped tremendous amounts of water in a short period. The National Weather Service reported that as much as 28 inches of rain fell in parts of Uvalde County over three days, and some sections of the Guadalupe River rose by more than 30 feet in places. Other areas recorded roughly a foot of precipitation.
“What happened last year was a warning to people on or near rivers. No one can be complacent,” Gov. Greg Abbott said.
Forecasters issued urgent warnings before dawn as rivers climbed hour by hour, turning low-lying areas into raging torrents. Emergency messages instructed residents to "Move to higher ground now!" as the potential for additional deadly flood waves remained high.
Fatalities and local impacts
Officials said one person was swept away while driving on a flooded road near Uvalde. The second fatality occurred in Kerr County. Families in some communities are coping with sudden losses and extensive property damage.
Jennie Steward, whose husband was later found dead, said their mobile home was lifted off its platform and carried down Goat Creek on the Guadalupe River after water rose to the door. Authorities continue to work through flooded neighborhoods and waterlogged roads.
- Rescues: More than 200 people saved by boats and helicopters.
- Response: Over 2,000 first responders deployed around the region.
- Rain totals: Up to 28 inches reported in Uvalde County over three days.
Where things stand and what to watch
Forecasters warned that more rain was expected into Friday in some of the hardest-hit counties and that rivers could continue to rise, with the prospect of further flood waves moving down the Guadalupe and other river systems. State and local agencies have urged residents to heed evacuation orders and move to higher ground when warnings are issued.
| Item | Reported figures |
|---|---|
| People rescued | More than 200 |
| First responders deployed | More than 2,000 |
| Max rainfall (Uvalde County) | 28 inches over three days |
| River rise (some spots) | More than 30 feet |
The flooding echoes scenes from last summer when similar flash floods along the same waterways killed dozens at Camp Mystic, underscoring the vulnerability of riverside communities during extreme rainfall events. Local officials and emergency managers face the immediate challenge of search and rescue, damage assessment and restoring access while watching for additional rain.
State officials said they remain on high alert as water levels change rapidly and urged residents across the Hill Country to follow guidance from local emergency management and the National Weather Service.
— Alejandro Vega, Texas correspondent
