2 dead as catastrophic floods once again hit Texas Hill Country

Key Points:

• Catastrophic flooding in Texas Hill Country has resulted in at least two deaths, with extreme rainfall totaling nearly 2 feet in some areas, including 23.37 inches in Leakey and 20.71 inches in Kerrville since Monday afternoon.
• The flooding has caused rivers such as the Guadalupe, Nueces, and Frio to surge to near or record levels, with the Nueces River near Uvalde reaching a record crest of 28.01 feet on July 16, prompting widespread water rescues and emergency responses.
• Governor Greg Abbott reported over 230 water rescues and deployment of 2,350 emergency responders with around 1,400 vehicles, urging residents not to drive on flooded roads and highlighting activated flood warning systems installed after the deadly 2025 floods.
• The current flooding recalls the tragedy from July 2025, when over 130 people died due to Guadalupe River flooding, including 28 at a summer camp; lessons from that event have helped mitigate the impact this time, with early evacuation of over 80 people from campgrounds.
• Officials continue to monitor a slow-moving weather pattern expected to bring more heavy rain, with 59 Texas counties under flood watch as emergency efforts continue.