UVALDE, Texas — Catastrophic flash flooding tore through the Texas Hill Country and South Central Texas, turning rivers into raging torrents, forcing hundreds of water rescues, and leaving a trail of devastation across multiple counties.

A slow-moving storm system dropped a staggering amount of rain over three days, accumulating up to 28 inches in parts of Uvalde County and a foot or more in surrounding areas. The torrential downpours triggered widespread Flash Flood Emergencies as rivers rose at terrifying speeds, sweeping away homes and submerging vehicles.

Governor Greg Abbott confirmed that the catastrophic flooding has turned fatal. In Kerr County, rapidly rising waters overwhelmed a mobile home near Goat Creek. The structure was completely swept off its platform and carried away before emergency teams could reach it, tragically claiming the life of a resident.

As rivers like the Guadalupe and Pedernales surged past major flood stages, state and local authorities deployed a massive emergency response. Emergency crews utilizing Black Hawk helicopters, swiftwater boats, and high-water vehicles have successfully rescued more than 230 people from flooded homes, vehicles, rooftops, and isolated campgrounds. To manage the unfolding crisis, more than 2,350 responders and 1,400 response assets have been actively deployed across the region.

The unfolding disaster has closed more than 120 roadway segments across the region, including major thoroughfares like U.S. Highway 90 and U.S. Highway 83, completely cutting off some isolated communities. With the Guadalupe River projected to crest near historic levels, Comal County issued mandatory evacuation orders for residents living along the river basin.

The disaster strikes a painful chord for the region, arriving just a year after a historic July 2025 flood disaster claimed over 130 lives in the exact same Hill Country communities. While residents noted that improved warning sirens and emergency cell alerts gave them more time to prepare this time around, the sheer volume of water has left local infrastructure overwhelmed. Severe weather alerts remain active as officials warn that saturated ground conditions and downstream runoff will keep floodwaters dangerously high.