A year after deadly floods, Texas Hill Country faces another dangerous surge

KERRVILLE, Texas — At least one person has died after powerful storms triggered dangerous flooding across Texas Hill Country on Thursday, sending fast-moving water through communities still recovering from a deadly flood disaster one year ago, CNN reported.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed the death during an appearance Thursday, saying the victim was not a camper. Officials said more details would be released as emergency crews continued assessing the situation, KXAN reported.

The latest flooding brought renewed flash flood emergencies across parts of central Texas, with officials warning of large and potentially deadly waves of water moving through the Guadalupe and Pedernales river systems. The same region was devastated during catastrophic flooding in July 2025 that killed more than 130 people, including children and counselors at Camp Mystic.

The Guadalupe River near Comfort, Texas, rose dramatically Thursday, climbing more than 25 feet in roughly an hour and surpassing levels reached during last year’s deadly floods. Officials said slow-moving thunderstorms dropped several inches of rain over a short period, causing rivers and creeks to quickly swell.

Communities throughout the region faced widespread flooding, with emergency crews conducting water rescues and evacuations. Residents were urged to remain indoors as thousands of people lost power and additional storms threatened to bring more rainfall overnight.

The flooding hit areas known as “Flash Flood Alley,” where steep terrain, shallow soil and exposed rock make it difficult for heavy rainfall to absorb into the ground. Instead, large amounts of water can rapidly flow into narrow waterways, creating dangerous flood surges.

Some locations in southern Texas recorded extraordinary rainfall totals, with parts of Uvalde County receiving more than 24 inches of rain over three days. Meteorologists said the amount was roughly equal to what some areas typically receive in an entire year.

Officials said this year’s response was different from last summer’s disaster because residents had more advance warnings and emergency systems were activated earlier. Kendall County officials said crews were prepared and had already assisted with evacuations while monitoring conditions closely.

Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. said improved warning systems helped residents prepare for rising water, noting that residents received multiple alerts before conditions worsened. Officials said they remained cautious while assessing possible casualties and damage.

More than 30 people were rescued in Gillespie County, including individuals trapped in vehicles, homes and recreational vehicles, according to local officials. Emergency crews continued surveying damage to roads, bridges and infrastructure throughout the region.

Flood watches remained in effect across parts of south-central Texas into Friday as forecasters warned additional storms could bring several more inches of rain. Weather officials said conditions were expected to improve later Friday as the storm pattern moved away.

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