Flash flood kills one, rescues 70+ in Texas Hill Country

At least one person has died and more than 70 people have been rescued as catastrophic flash flooding inundated the Texas Hill Country on July 16, 2026, prompting widespread evacuations and emergency declarations across dozens of counties. The flooding, fueled by torrential rainfall that has reached up to 20 inches in some areas over 48 hours, has overwhelmed rivers and creeks, creating a dangerous situation in a region still recovering from devastating floods last year.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott confirmed the fatality occurred overnight between Kerrville and Comfort. He stated that more than 1,300 state personnel from over 30 agencies have been activated, deploying hundreds of vehicles, boats, and aircraft. The primary focus, officials said, remains on saving lives as the crisis continues.

The National Weather Service issued multiple flash flood emergencies, warning of a "large and deadly flood wave" moving down the Guadalupe and Pedernales rivers. In some locations, river levels rose with alarming speed; the Guadalupe River at Center Point rose 32 feet in just four hours. Forecasters warned the river could crest at a level similar to the catastrophic flood of July 4, 2025,...