At least one person has died and more than 70 have been rescued in central Texas after torrential rain triggered dangerous flash flooding, Governor Greg Abbott confirmed on Thursday. Authorities, including Texas Game Wardens, have pulled stranded residents from homes, submerged vehicles, and swept-away cars as floodwaters continue to rise.
Rescue efforts intensify amid rising floodwaters
Dramatic footage captured Game Wardens wading through waist-deep water to save a family, including a young child, as floodwaters rapidly engulfed their home. Abbott warned residents to avoid floodwaters and seek higher ground, noting that aerial searches—using helicopters and drones—are underway to locate any remaining stranded individuals.
In Uvalde, police urged residents near the Leona River to evacuate immediately, citing the risk of a 20-foot wall of water surging into the city after the river overflowed. The region has recorded over a foot of rain since Monday, with downpours reaching rates of 3 inches per hour in some areas.
Historic flooding and storm damage
Local officials described the flooding as the worst since 2015. Chris Shadrock, Boerne’s director of communications, emphasized the severity in a social media video, stating, “We are seeing flood conditions that we have not seen since 2015.” The Medina River, typically ankle-deep, has swelled significantly due to rainfall feeding into creeks and springs, while high water carried a group of deer down a flooded creek.
The same storm system also spawned a tornado near San Antonio, with winds up to 100 mph damaging businesses and tearing the roof off an apartment building. Power transformers sparked near a busy highway as the storm passed through.
Forecasters warn the region could receive half a year’s worth of rain in just days, prolonging the flood risk. Authorities continue to monitor water levels and urge vigilance as conditions remain volatile.
