Flash Floods Hit Southcentral Texas, Causing Evacuations and Rescues
On July 16, 2026, flash floods swept through parts of Central Texas, including the banks of the Guadalupe River in Center Point, Texas. The flooding prompted evacuations and numerous water rescues. Broadcast by Brandon Bell of Getty Images highlights the severity of the situation. Dangerous floods are hitting the region just a year after more than 130 people died due to catastrophic flooding.
Governor Greg Abbott announced at least one fatality from the ongoing flood emergency. By midday Thursday, more than 80 rescues had occurred. Over 1,300 responders and 46 boats have been deployed to aid in relief efforts. Flood alerts stretch from the Kerrville area south to Uvalde and further to Laredo, highlighting a widespread impact.
In Uvalde County, muddy floodwaters have inundated roads and fields, coming near rooftop levels, as evident in a Texas Department of Public Safety video. Communities that experienced floods on Wednesday are facing more deluge. The National Weather Service in San Antonio and Austin warns of continued showers and thunderstorms in areas with already dangerous conditions. Reports from NPR member stations in Texas indicate that floods surpass 2025 levels in some regions.
Kerrville has seen high water largely receding, but the emergency persists with widespread road and bridge closures. The local police urge residents to refrain from unnecessary travel. Observations from the Texas Newsroom mention summer camp evacuations and lawmakers noting improvements in disaster responses due to increased resources.
The Guadalupe River near Comfort, Texas, rose dramatically from 5.46 feet at 5 a.m. to 37.05 feet by 8:05 a.m., reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. Comfort Fire Department warned of vehicles being swept away and issued advisories to avoid roads. The fast-moving floodwaters were captured in a video shared on social media. Emergency officials caution that water levels may continue to rise with upstream runoff.
The NOAA website indicates more than 20 sites across Texas experiencing major or moderate flood levels. Governor Abbott comparisons to last year’s Fourth of July floods, with a rainfall of 20.29 inches, warn that current rainfall may exceed 30 inches. Last year, Camp Mystic faced a tragedy when floods killed 25 campers and two counselors along the Guadalupe River. More rain is forecast for the Texas Hill Country, with the storm expected to move toward the Big Bend region.