Summary (tl;dr)

Texas is currently experiencing severe, life-threatening flash flooding in its Hill Country region, particularly along the Guadalupe River, Kerrville, and Uvalde, prompting evacuations, water rescues, and resulting in at least one fatality.

Essential Background

The current flooding event follows almost exactly one year after catastrophic flash floods in July 2025 devastated the Texas Hill Country, claiming over 100 lives, including 25 campers and two counselors at Camp Mystic along the Guadalupe River. That historical disaster left many communities in a state of recovery and heightened their vulnerability and preparedness for subsequent heavy rainfall.

The Full Story

On Thursday, July 16, 2026, relentless and heavy rainfall has triggered severe flash flooding across the Texas Hill Country, with Kerr County and Uvalde County being among the most impacted areas. Flash flood emergencies have been declared for regions along the Guadalupe River, including Kerrville, Center Point, Comfort, and Hunt, as well as along the Pedernales River and Leona River in Uvalde County. The Guadalupe River at Center Point rapidly rose an alarming 32 feet in just four hours, reaching levels comparable to last year's catastrophic flood.

At least one fatality has been confirmed in the Kerrville area, and emergency services have rescued over 75 individuals, primarily stranded motorists. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued disaster declarations for 59 counties, deploying approximately 1,300 emergency personnel, 800 vehicles, 75 boats, and 20 aircraft for rescue operations. Authorities are urging residents to avoid travel and seek higher ground immediately, as rising waters continue to inundate homes and cause widespread road closures.

Why It Matters

The ongoing widespread and life-threatening flooding in the Texas Hill Country is a critical situation, particularly as it mirrors and in some cases exceeds the severity of a deadly event from a year prior. The rapid rise of river levels, especially along the Guadalupe and Leona Rivers, poses immediate and extreme dangers to residents, necessitating mandatory evacuations, numerous water rescues, and tragically, resulting in at least one confirmed death. The recurrent nature of these severe floods, which have caused significant damage and loss of life in recent years, underscores the increasing vulnerability of the region to extreme weather and climate-related events. This trend highlights the urgent need for enhanced emergency responses and continued community vigilance in the face of escalating environmental challenges.

Geographic Location

• Center Point, Kerr County, Texas, United States (Guadalupe River experiencing deadly flood wave, one fatality, structures taking on water)
• Kerrville, Kerr County, Texas, United States (life-threatening flash flood emergency, evacuations, major flooding of Guadalupe River, shelters open, widespread road closures)
• Comfort, Kendall County, Texas, United States (Guadalupe River surging to record levels, flash flood emergency, shelters open)
• Hunt, Kerr County, Texas, United States (Guadalupe River reached moderate flood levels, homes flooded, flash flood emergency)
• Ingram, Kerr County, Texas, United States (flash flood emergency, floodwaters covered a bridge)
• Camp Mystic, Kerr County, Texas, United States (historical site of deadly 2025 flood, related lawsuits ongoing)
• Uvalde, Uvalde County, Texas, United States (flash flood emergency, mandatory evacuations along Leona River, numerous water rescues, widespread road closures, homes flooded)
• Fredericksburg, Gillespie County, Texas, United States (Pedernales River under flash flood emergency, residents urged to seek higher ground)
• Johnson City, Blanco County, Texas, United States (Pedernales River under flash flood emergency, residents urged to seek higher ground)
• Harper, Gillespie County, Texas, United States (Pedernales River under flash flood emergency, residents urged to seek higher ground)
• Spring Branch, Comal County, Texas, United States (Guadalupe River rising significantly, road closures, flood warning)
• Texas Hill Country, Texas, United States (widespread flash flood emergencies and catastrophic flooding across the region, 59 counties under disaster declarations)