Texas flash floods kill one, revive trauma of last year's disaster that killed 139

Flood emergency unfolds

Torrential rains over several days swelled the Guadalupe River and triggered flash flood emergencies across the Texas Hill Country. The National Weather Service in San Antonio issued its highest-level warning, calling the situation "particularly dangerous." By Thursday morning, mandatory evacuations were underway in Kerr, Uvalde, and Kendall counties. The Guadalupe River at Center Point rose 32 feet (975 cm) in just four hours, while the Hunt gauge jumped from 9 to 19 feet in a single hour, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Rainfall totals reached 10 to 20 inches in parts of Uvalde County over 48 hours, with 8 inches falling in two hours. The NWS warned that a "large and deadly flood wave" was moving downstream, urging residents to seek higher ground immediately.

Catastrophic flooding is occurring. Move to higher ground now! Guadalupe River is rapidly rising and will continue!

One death confirmed

Governor Greg Abbott announced that one person died in Kerr County overnight Thursday to Friday. The victim was found downstream of Kerrville. Abbott emphasized that the individual was "not a camper" and that the siren warning system had functioned properly, a point of contention after last year's disaster. He said more than 75 people had been rescued and over 1,000 state workers deployed to respond. Abbott planned to visit the affected areas soon. Emergency crews used boats and prepared helicopters for further rescues as roads remained submerged and dozens of highways were closed.

It is not a camper. The siren warning system worked.

Echoes of last year's catastrophe

The flooding revived painful memories of the July 2025 flash flood that killed 139 people along the same river. That disaster swept through Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp near Kerrville, killing 25 campers, two counselors, and the camp's owner. The Guadalupe River had risen 26 feet in about 45 minutes that day. Camp Mystic did not reopen this year and filed for bankruptcy earlier this summer. Officials noted that the current flood's predicted crest could approach the levels seen in 2025. The region's steep terrain and shallow soil, part of "Flash Flood Alley," make it especially vulnerable to rapid runoff.

Rescue and response

Local authorities in Uvalde reported multiple motorists trapped by rising water, and emergency teams conducted rescues throughout the night. Businesses along Main Street closed as floodwaters crept higher. Gat Mitchell, co-owner of a honey business in Uvalde, said the water soaked invoices and washed away inventory. Thousands of residents lost power. The governor's deployment of over 1,000 state workers included search-and-rescue teams and highway crews. Flash flood emergencies remained in effect for Uvalde, Kerr, and Kendall counties into Friday morning, with the NWS warning that additional rainfall of 2 to 4 inches per hour could cause further flooding on already saturated ground.

Weather and geography

The National Weather Service described the storm as a "particularly dangerous situation," its most dire label. Meteorologists said the atmosphere's increased moisture-holding capacity, linked to warmer air temperatures, intensified the rainfall. The Hill Country's topography, with tall hills funneling water into narrow river valleys, amplifies flood risk. The area is in a floodplain where shallow soil cannot absorb heavy rain. Forecasters expected the rain to continue, potentially breaking records, according to Governor Abbott. The Guadalupe River was expected to remain at dangerous levels through the day.