SAN ANTONIO — Severe storms triggered life-threatening flash flooding across the Texas Hill Country on Thursday, prompting water rescues, road closures and emergency warnings as heavy rain continued to inundate parts of Central and South Texas.
The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings for multiple counties, including Kerr and Gillespie counties, warning that additional rainfall on already saturated ground could rapidly worsen flooding in creeks, rivers, low-water crossings and roadways. Forecasters said isolated areas could receive several more inches of rain as slow-moving thunderstorms persisted.
Emergency officials reported high-water rescues in several locations, while local law enforcement urged residents not to drive through flooded roads or bypass barricades. Authorities said emergency personnel remained on standby, and officials contacted camps and retreat centers located near rivers because of the heightened flood risk.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott earlier issued a disaster declaration covering 59 counties and directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to maintain elevated response operations, saying the measure would allow state resources to be deployed rapidly to affected communities. State officials urged residents to monitor weather alerts, avoid flooded roadways and follow instructions from local authorities.
The National Weather Service said flash flood warnings are issued when dangerous flooding is imminent or already occurring, and warned that rainfall rates in some areas could quickly overwhelm streams and drainage systems. Officials said conditions remained hazardous and advised against unnecessary travel in flood-prone areas.
Authorities had not reported confirmed fatalities related to the latest flooding at the time of publication, and assessments of damage and additional impacts were continuing as the situation remained active.
