Flood Waves Surge Down Texas Rivers as Emergencies Worsen

Two large and deadly flood waves are surging down the Guadalupe and Pedernales rivers in the Texas Hill Country, triggering Flash Flood Emergencies across multiple counties as authorities urge residents to seek higher ground immediately. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Level 4 out of 4 flood threat — the first such level since April 2025 — as torrential rainfall of 10 to 20 inches over three days has caused catastrophic flooding in Uvalde, Kerrville, and surrounding communities, according to Fox Weather.

A Region Under Siege

The flooding comes just over one year after the devastating July 4, 2025, Guadalupe River flood that killed at least 107 people, including 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic. On Thursday morning, the NWS warned that the Guadalupe River at Center Point had risen 32 feet in four hours and was expected to reach a crest similar to the 2025 catastrophic flood. Gauges at Comfort recorded a 34-foot rise in less than two hours, reaching major flood stage, NBC DFW reported.

“The [Guadalupe] river gauge at Center Point has risen 32 feet in 4 hours and is expected to reach a crest similar to [the] July 4, 2025, catastrophic river flood,” the NWS said in a warning bulletin issued just after 5:30 a.m. local time.

Widespread Rescues and Evacuations

Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency for 59 counties on Tuesday, deploying Blackhawk helicopters, National Guard troops, and state resources ahead of the storms. Abbott confirmed at least one death connected to the weather as of Thursday morning, according to CBS News Texas.

Rescue operations have been extensive:

• Uvalde police conducted at least 25 water rescues since Tuesday
• Texas Game Wardens rescued more than 40 people, mostly in Uvalde County
• Ten people were rescued by helicopter from a barn roof near Kerrville
• The Comfort RV Resort was evacuated as floodwaters rose

“There’s no way into the city at this point in time. Rescues have been happening overnight,” said Juli Alvarado, a Uvalde police spokesperson, as reported by NBC News. “The good thing is they’re communicating with our emergency dispatch center and we’re getting crews to them quickly.”

Infrastructure Damage and Road Closures

The flooding has caused significant infrastructure damage across the region. The FM 480 bridge southeast of Kerrville was washed out, and the main bridge across Kerrville was closed as a precaution. Widespread state highway and local road closures have isolated communities, according to Chron.com.

Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly issued an official disaster declaration Thursday morning. The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office posted a dire warning on Facebook: “Move to higher ground now! This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order. Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”

Communities Still Recovering from 2025

The psychological and economic toll is compounded by the fact that many communities were still rebuilding from last year’s disaster. Ingram Mayor Claud Jordan told the Associated Press that many businesses along the Guadalupe River had not yet reopened from the 2025 floods.

“The rural part of Ingram, all the roads are just trashed,” Jordan said. “There are a bunch of businesses that haven’t reopened from last year. They’re still trying to rebuild from the July 4 floods. This doesn’t help.”

Josiah Rodriguez, a Kerrville resident who navigated flooded roads to help evacuate relatives, noted a stark difference in preparedness this year. “It’s crazy happening two times in one year,” he told the Associated Press. “Last year there was no warning of it. It just kind of happened overnight and it took everyone by surprise. This year, a lot more alerts have gone into place, a lot more safety measures.”

Meteorological Setup and Ongoing Threat

The flooding is being driven by a stalled weather pattern. A massive heat dome locked over the northern half of the country is forcing a weak storm system underneath it, causing steering winds to slow to a crawl. This has allowed storms to “park” over the same areas day after day, the FOX Forecast Center explained.

More than 20 inches of rain has fallen in Uvalde over three days, with 8 inches falling in just two hours early Thursday. The FOX Forecast Center warned that an additional 2 to 5 inches of rain is expected through Friday, with localized spots potentially seeing another foot. Over 6 million Texas residents in 57 counties remain under flood watches.

What to Watch For

As rescue operations continue and rivers continue to rise, several critical questions remain unanswered: the final death toll, the number of people unaccounted for, and the full extent of property damage. The Level 4 flood threat remains in effect, and the stalled weather pattern means the region is not yet out of danger. Authorities continue to urge residents in affected areas to monitor local forecasts, avoid travel, and be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.”