Central Texas is once again facing a severe flooding crisis, with at least two confirmed fatalities reported in the latest round of heavy rains. The affected region mirrors the one devastated by flash floods last summer, when more than 130 lives were lost.
Authorities are warning residents about the ongoing dangers posed by rapidly rising waters.
The National Weather Service office in San Antonio has described the situation as involving “large and deadly” flooding along the Guadalupe River. This follows several days of intense downpours that have saturated the ground and pushed rivers beyond their banks. Tragically, both victims perished after their vehicles were carried away by powerful currents.
Emergency teams have worked tirelessly to pull people from danger, successfully rescuing at least 230 individuals so far. Responders have employed boats, helicopters, and even waded through submerged streets to reach those trapped. Despite these efforts, officials stress that the threat remains critical as conditions continue to worsen.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott provided an update on Thursday afternoon, confirming the loss of two lives in the torrents. One man was overtaken while inside his camper van, and a woman was swept away as she attempted to drive through flooded roadways. The governor highlighted the extreme nature of the weather event.
“The rainfall is record-shattering,” Abbott stated during his briefing. In a social media post, he added, “Through the weekend, we are expecting 30 inches of total rain. This is higher than last year’s precipitation.”
Abbott emphasized the state’s commitment to protecting residents.
“We will be doing everything possible to save human life,” he declared. He also noted the scale of rescue operations, reporting around 230 successful extractions amid the chaos.
The National Weather Service has issued repeated alerts, keeping flash flood warnings active across multiple zones. Officials continue to urge immediate action as waters rise. In one urgent message shared on X, the San Antonio NWS warned, “CATASTROPHIC flooding is occurring. Move to higher ground now! Guadalupe River is rapidly rising and will continue!”
According to reports, the Guadalupe River experienced a dramatic 32-foot surge within just a four-hour period. This rapid escalation has caught many off guard, even in areas still recovering from previous disasters. The flooding has spread through several counties, notably Uvalde, Kerr, and Kendall.
Visual accounts from the scene depict cars inching through high water that reaches vehicle windows, while brown currents carry debris and wildlife alike. In one striking observation, a group of deer struggled to keep their heads above the rushing flow as they were swept downstream. Rescue footage shows teams carefully lifting small children from the floodwaters and carrying them to safety.
Last summer’s tragedy remains fresh in the minds of locals. More than 130 people perished in South Texas floods during July, among them 25 children and two counselors at Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp situated near Kerrville along the river. The camp itself suffered devastating losses when the Guadalupe River rose dramatically.
At Camp Mystic, the river climbed 26 feet in roughly 45 minutes during the 2025 Fourth of July period. The forceful waters swept away campers, leading to heartbreaking outcomes. In response to the prior disaster, the facility chose not to reopen this year and has since filed for bankruptcy.
Rain persisted into Friday morning, further complicating recovery and rescue work across the already inundated landscape. With forecasts pointing to continued heavy precipitation, communities are bracing for additional challenges through the weekend.
Officials continue to monitor the situation closely and advise residents to heed all safety instructions.
