Catastrophic Flooding Hits Texas Hill Country, Killing at Least Two as Slow-Moving Storms Keep Rivers High
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Catastrophic flooding grips south-central Texas
Slow-moving storms have unleashed catastrophic flooding across parts of the Texas Hill Country, killing at least two people, damaging communities and leaving roads, rivers and emergency crews under extreme pressure.The rain has not fully ended.
Heavy rainfall is expected to continue across south-central Texas into Friday, with another 2 to 5 inches possible. Some locations have already received more than 2 feet of rain, leaving rivers swollen and the ground saturated.
Authorities remain on high alert for additional catastrophic flooding, especially in areas that have already taken the hardest hit.
Flood threat began as storms stalled over Texas
The flood threat began Monday, when slow-moving storms combined with abundant Gulf moisture and produced days of torrential rain.Parts of south-central Texas have been inundated since Monday night. More than 2.5 million people remain in the path of additional rounds of torrential rainfall through Friday.
The setup has been dangerous because the storms moved slowly over the same region. Rain fell again and again over saturated ground. Creeks rose. Rivers swelled. Roads disappeared under water.
The water kept coming.
State of emergency declared for 59 counties
The dangerous conditions prompted Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to declare a state of emergency for 59 counties.Abbott said Black Hawk helicopters and additional rescue teams were deployed Tuesday. The Texas National Guard and other state resources were also activated ahead of the storms.
The emergency response expanded as the flood threat grew across river basins and communities in south-central Texas.
Deadly flood waves moved down major rivers
The National Weather Service warned of several “large and deadly flood waves" moving down the Guadalupe and Pedernales rivers.Flooding also expanded into the Nueces and Frio River basins through Thursday morning.
During the early morning hours Thursday, the storm intensified. Before dawn, the National Weather Service issued a series of warnings about major river flooding across the region, including on the Guadalupe River.
The most dangerous conditions developed while many people were still asleep.
Highest-level flood risk issued for parts of Hill Country
The NOAA Weather Prediction Center upgraded parts of the Texas Hill Country to a Level 4 out of 4 flash flood risk on Thursday.A broader Level 3 risk covered much of the surrounding region. Through Friday, a Level 2 out of 4 flash flood risk remains in effect across portions of south-central Texas.
The storm is expected to begin moving west past the worst impacted areas, but the risk has not disappeared. With rivers swollen and soil already saturated, even additional moderate rain can worsen flooding.
Flash Flood Emergencies issued before dawn
Multiple Flash Flood Emergencies were issued across numerous counties during the pre-dawn hours Thursday.According to the FOX Forecast Center, at least five Flash Flood Emergencies were issued Thursday.
Officials urged residents in low-lying areas and communities under Flash Flood Emergencies to evacuate immediately or seek higher ground. Everyone else was warned to stay off the roads.
That warning carried urgency. In flood conditions, roads can become traps within minutes, especially where water crosses low crossings, rural routes and river-adjacent communities.
Guadalupe River surged more than 34 feet
The Guadalupe River rose with extreme speed Thursday morning. It surged more than 34 feet in less than two hours, reaching major flood stage before beginning to recede later in the afternoon as rainfall gradually eased.That kind of rise leaves little time for reaction.
A river can move from dangerous to life-threatening in less than the time it takes many people to wake up, check conditions and decide whether to leave.
The flood wave moved fast. The water rose faster.
Deaths confirmed near Uvalde and Center Point
As floodwaters spread Thursday morning, emergency crews faced widespread destruction and dozens of rescue calls across south-central Texas.Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed that a woman died near Uvalde, TX, after she was swept away by floodwaters while driving.
In Kerr County, TX, the sheriff’s office confirmed at least one person died in flooding near Center Point, TX, on Thursday afternoon. The victim’s identity has not been released.
The deaths underline the danger of driving during flash flooding, especially when water covers roads and the depth or force of the current is unclear.
Roads and infrastructure damaged by floodwaters
Floodwaters also damaged critical infrastructure.The Texas Department of Transportation said a barge struck the Sidney Baker Bridge in Kerr County, TX, during the flooding.
By Thursday afternoon, TXDOT reported at least 125 roadways across Central Texas had been impacted by flooding. At least 87 roads were closed because of floodwaters, damage or debris.
The damage affected travel across the region. Flooded roads, debris-covered routes and damaged crossings complicated emergency response and cut off normal movement through parts of Central Texas.
Why this flood became so dangerous
The flooding developed from a combination of slow storm motion, deep Gulf moisture and repeated heavy rain over the same areas.The main hazards include:
- More than 2 feet of rain already recorded in some locations
- Another 2 to 5 inches of rain expected across south-central Texas into Friday
- Saturated ground
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