Heavy flooding in the Texas Hill Country has resulted in two deaths and prompted extensive rescue efforts as parts of the region received up to two feet of rain since Wednesday. The latest deluge comes nearly a year after flash floods devastated the area over the Fourth of July weekend, killing more than 100 people, including 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic in Kerr County.
The current flooding particularly affected Kerr, Uvalde, and Real counties, with some communities facing mandatory evacuation orders. Officials have reported more than 230 rescues so far, and efforts continue to reach residents isolated by rising waters, especially in the Uvalde area.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who declared a state of emergency earlier this week, confirmed two fatalities related to the flooding. One victim was found near Comfort, Texas, having died when an RV was swept away by floodwaters. The other fatality occurred near Uvalde when a driver was overtaken by the flood. Abbott emphasized the dangers of driving through high water and urged residents to avoid such risks, citing last year’s deadly floods as a stark warning against complacency.
“Everyone has a sense of urgency with the rising water,” Abbott said Thursday, underscoring the need for caution as heavy rains continue.
The National Weather Service has forecast additional rainfall between 10 and 15 inches through Friday, raising concerns about further flash flooding and potential catastrophic river flooding. The affected river basins include the Nueces, Frio, and Medina rivers, with significant flooding also expected along the Pecos, Rio Grande, and San Antonio rivers.
Camp Mystic, the girls’ camp along the Guadalupe River that was severely impacted during last year’s disaster, did not reopen this summer and has since filed for bankruptcy. The area around Kerr County, where the camp is located, bore the brunt of the historic floods, which prompted widespread devastation and long-term recovery challenges.
Authorities continue to monitor weather conditions closely and coordinate emergency response measures as communities brace for possible continued flooding and related hazards across southwest Texas.