Texas Flooding Surges as Rescuers Pull Residents to Safety/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Catastrophic flooding swept across parts of Texas after days of intense rainfall, forcing overnight rescues and widespread evacuations. Rivers rose rapidly across Uvalde County and the Hill Country, where communities are still recovering from last year’s deadly floods. Authorities reported no immediate deaths or injuries but warned that water levels could approach previous disaster records.
Texas Flooding Quick Looks
- Heavy rain triggered catastrophic flooding across parts of Texas.
- More than 40 people were rescued by Texas Game Wardens.
- Uvalde was temporarily cut off by floodwaters.
- Officials deployed boats and prepared helicopters for rescues.
- Up to 20 inches of rain fell in two days.
- Some areas received 8 inches in only two hours.
- Guadalupe River levels rose more than 30 feet overnight.
- Forecasters warned of a “large and deadly flood wave.”
- Kerrville residents were told to move to upper floors.
- Six million people across 57 counties faced flood watches.
- Gov. Greg Abbott issued disaster declarations for dozens of counties.
- No immediate deaths or injuries were reported.
Texas Flooding Surges as Rescuers Pull Residents to Safety
Catastrophic Flooding Returns to Texas Hill Country
Days of relentless rain triggered catastrophic flooding across parts of Texas early Thursday, forcing emergency crews to rescue residents from vehicles, homes and rising waterways while communities scrambled to reach higher ground.
The flooding spread across Uvalde County, border communities and the Texas Hill Country near San Antonio, an area still recovering from deadly flooding one year earlier.
The National Weather Service warned that a “large and deadly flood wave” was moving down the Guadalupe River, the same river system devastated by flooding last summer.
Forecasters issued urgent warnings as rivers rose rapidly and transformed into fast-moving torrents.
“Move to higher ground now!” the weather service warned.
Officials reported no immediate deaths or injuries, although emergency operations continued throughout the morning and several tornado warnings were also issued.
Uvalde Cut Off by Rising Water
Floodwaters overwhelmed Uvalde overnight, temporarily cutting off road access to the city.
Emergency crews responded to multiple reports of people trapped in vehicles and homes.
“There’s no way into the city at this point in time. Rescues have been happening overnight,” Uvalde police spokesperson Juli Alvarado said.
Authorities used boats to reach stranded residents and planned to deploy helicopters after daylight improved visibility.
Residents received repeated emergency alerts throughout the night warning that flash flooding could worsen by morning.
“The good thing is they’re communicating with our emergency dispatch center and we’re getting crews to them quickly,” Alvarado said.
Texas Game Wardens rescued more than 40 people, primarily in Uvalde County, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Rivers Rise More Than 30 Feet
The scale and speed of the flooding stunned residents and emergency officials.
The National Weather Service reported that between 10 and 20 inches of rain had fallen across parts of the region during the previous two days.
Some locations received approximately 8 inches of rain in only two hours early Thursday.
River gauges along the Guadalupe River showed water levels increasing by more than 30 feet in a matter of hours.
One gauge outside Kerrville recorded a 32-foot rise over four hours.
Near Hunt, the Guadalupe River reached approximately 20.5 feet, placing water just below the level expected to flood structures and roadways.
The river runs near Camp Mystic, which remains closed following the devastating flood disaster there last summer.
Communities Still Haunted by Last Year’s Disaster
The latest flooding struck a region still deeply affected by the July Fourth floods of the previous year.
More than 100 people died during that disaster.
Among the victims were two dozen children and counselors at Camp Mystic, where fast-moving water overwhelmed the area.
The National Weather Service warned that the new flood crest could approach levels recorded during last year’s catastrophe.
That possibility heightened anxiety across communities where families, emergency workers and local officials remain familiar with the destructive power of flash floods.
Images from Kerr County showed propane tanks pushed onto a bridge and trees tangled together by rushing water.
Kerrville Residents Told to Seek Higher Levels
Officials in Kerrville urged residents in flood-prone areas to shelter on the highest floors of their homes when evacuation was no longer possible.
Floodwaters moved quickly through creeks and rivers, carrying debris into bridges and roadways.
Brown water formed large rapids in waterways that are normally calm.
By Wednesday afternoon, the Leona River had already pushed toward neighborhoods and bridges in Uvalde.
Residents stood outside watching the water climb closer to their homes.
Some hurriedly loaded vehicles with belongings, while others searched for safer places to go.
One resident placed two kayaks in the back of a truck as a precaution.
Mandatory Evacuations Ordered in Uvalde
Uvalde police ordered mandatory evacuations for certain neighborhoods before the worst flooding arrived.
First responders went door to door to notify residents in threatened areas.
Other neighborhoods were advised to remain ready in case evacuation orders expanded.
Many families living near the Leona River packed their vehicles as conditions deteriorated.
Lightning flashed overhead as dark clouds brought additional rainfall, complicating rescue operations and increasing the threat of further flooding.
Six Million Texans Under Flood Watches
The widespread storm system placed approximately six million Texas residents under flood watches.
As of late Wednesday, 57 counties were included in National Weather Service alerts.
Flood watches in more than half of those counties were expected to remain in effect through Friday evening.
The danger extended across a large region near the U.S.-Mexico border and through the Hill Country.
Gov. Greg Abbott issued disaster declarations covering dozens of counties to speed emergency assistance and state resources.
The declarations allow state agencies to provide additional personnel, equipment and support to local governments.
Uvalde Receives Nearly a Year’s Rainfall
Some of the highest rainfall totals were recorded in Uvalde County.
The county normally receives about 23 inches of rain during an entire year.
In only two days, parts of the area received close to that total.
The unusually concentrated rainfall overwhelmed creeks, drainage systems and rivers.
Dry or calm waterways quickly became dangerous flood channels capable of carrying vehicles, trees, propane tanks and other heavy debris.
Rescue Operations Continue
Emergency crews continued rescue efforts as daylight revealed the extent of the damage.
Boats were used in areas where roads had disappeared beneath floodwaters.
Helicopter crews were expected to assist once weather and visibility conditions allowed.
Officials warned residents not to drive through flooded roads because water depth and current strength can be difficult to judge.
Even shallow-looking water can sweep away vehicles or trap occupants.
Threat Could Continue Into Friday
Forecasters warned that additional rain could keep rivers elevated and create new flash-flood emergencies.
Flood watches were expected to continue through Friday evening in many counties.
Authorities urged residents to monitor emergency alerts, avoid low-lying areas and move immediately when evacuation orders were issued.
The lack of confirmed fatalities offered some relief early Thursday, but officials emphasized that conditions remained dangerous and could change quickly.
For communities still mourning the lives lost last summer, the latest flooding brought renewed fear and another urgent test of Texas’ emergency response systems.
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