At least two people have died and hundreds have been rescued Thursday as torrential rain sent rivers surging across Central Texas, including communities still recovering from last year’s catastrophic flooding.
Parts of the Texas Hill Country received more than two feet of rain—approximately a year’s worth—in just a few days. The extreme rainfall produced fast-moving flood waves along multiple rivers, overwhelming roads, homes and low-lying areas.
Officials reported more than 230 water rescues across the state. More than 2,300 emergency personnel and 1,400 pieces of equipment have been deployed, including helicopters, rescue boats and high-water vehicles.
The National Weather Service said moderate to major flooding was occurring or expected across several river basins, including the Guadalupe, Pedernales, Frio, Medina, San Antonio and Nueces. Although conditions were expected to improve in parts of the region Friday, river flooding could continue after the heaviest rain ends.
The disaster comes just over a year after flash flooding killed more than 130 people in the Texas Hill Country, including children and counselors at Camp Mystic. This time, officials and residents credited expanded sirens, river warning towers and more urgent forecast messaging with helping communities respond sooner and potentially limiting an even greater loss of life.
