Here's the latest
• Heavy rain is falling in southern Texas overnight into Friday, further inundating parts of the state that have received up to a foot of rain in recent days, prompting flash flood warnings.
• Parts of Texas Hill Country have already received a year’s worth of rain in just three days. At least two people have died and more than 230 water rescues have been carried out, officials said.
• The flooding is impacting an area still struggling with the emotional – and physical – scars of last July’s devastating flash flooding that killed more than 130 people, including dozens of girls and counselors at a summer camp.
Man helped pregnant girlfriend and neighbors escape to higher ground as flooding hit Kerrville
Jakobe Rudolph and his pregnant girlfriend lost nearly all the supplies they had collected for the twin boys they are expecting when Thursday’s flooding inundated their Kerrville apartment, he said.
Video from inside the apartment shows furniture, baby clothing, and other supplies covered in mud. Other debris swept in by the water now litters the room they planned on using as a nursery.
“We’re having twins in two months … and we got to start over,” Rudolph told storm chaser Jonathan Petramala.
As the water began rising to dangerous levels, Rudolph said he had to convince his girlfriend to evacuate to their apartment building’s upper levels, adding he ran to neighbors’ units to wake them up, unsure if they were aware of how severe the situation was becoming.
“[Rudolph] actually…had to take out my window,” said neighbor Alacena Lopez, explaining the high water was preventing her from opening her unit’s door. “He told me that I had a few minutes to get all my stuff ready, Lopez said, explaining she grabbed her phone and animals before leaving.
There were more warnings about this year's flooding than last year, Hill Country resident says
CNN’s Ed Lavandera spoke with a Hill Country resident who said he received more warnings about this year’s flooding than last year.
Uvalde resident loses home he purchased last Christmas
When flooding began in the Uvalde area Wednesday, resident Jose Maldonado said the water levels only reached the front steps of his trailer home.
But by Thursday, the flooding had breached the home, soaking much of the inside and leaving mud and water damage behind when it receded.
“Honestly, I’m upset … I feel like I could have maybe saved it, done more,” Maldonado told the Associated Press, adding that he purchased the home last Christmas. “And now what to figure out to do is the next thing.”
Still, Maldonado said he is optimistic the community can bounce back after the catastrophic flooding.
“I’m pretty sure, hopefully, we can get all together and … come together and get it all taken care of, get the help we need.”
Storm activity is increasing over areas that have already received torrential rain
In an update late Thursday, the National Weather Service office for Austin-San Antonio said radar showed storm activity is starting to increase across parts of Texas that have already received torrential rain this week.
“Many of these areas have received up to a foot of rainfall in the past 2 to 3 days. It will not take much additional rainfall to compound flooding concerns,” the office said.
A flash flood warning is in effect for parts of Bandera, Kerr and Real counties until 3:45 a.m. local time.
“Additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly,” the warning said.
Kerrville resident who lived through last year's disaster says latest flooding triggered anxiety
A Kerrville resident who survived last year’s devastating Texas floods told CNN he sprang into action early Thursday when rapidly rising water stranded his pregnant neighbor and brought back memories of the disaster that devastated the Guadalupe River community last summer.
RickyRay Robertson said floodwaters rose so quickly that roads became impassable within minutes, forcing him and his neighbor to abandon her vehicle and wade through chest-deep water to safety.
Robertson said the experience reignited trauma from last year’s flooding. “After that last flood, I can be asleep in the rain … and I’m waking up, running to the front door to see if we’re floating or not. It’s a real thing,” he told CNN.
The flooding comes as crews continue searching for victims from last year’s disaster near Robertson’s property. He said ongoing sediment removal and cleanup work along the river may have helped limit the impact of this week’s flooding. “If they would not have done that all the way down, it would have been worse up here than last year,” Robertson said.
Agricultural emergency declared in Texas as floodwaters swamp state's farmland
An Agricultural Emergency has been declared in parts of Texas as floodwaters threaten crops, livestock and infrastructure, the state’s agriculture commissioner said Thursday.
“Texas agriculture is taking another heavy blow,” Sid Miller said in a statement announcing the declaration. “Producers are facing damaged crops, washed-out fences, submerged grazing land, and disrupted transportation routes,” Miller added.
The emergency declaration activates the state agriculture department’s relief resources to help farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses recover.
“The floodwaters will recede, but for now I’m asking producers to stay safe and follow the guidance of local emergency officials. No crop or piece of equipment is worth risking your life,” Miller said.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has also issued a disaster declaration in response to the flooding.
Latest Videos
Flash flood emergencies are in effect in the same communities devastated by last year's historic disaster as rivers rise rapidly, water rescues mount and more torrential rain threatens catastrophic flooding.
Drone footage captures the aftermath of devastating flooding in Ingram, Texas.
The Guadalupe River in Comfort, Texas reached higher levels on Thursday than it did during last year’s devastating July Fourth floods.
A photographer captured the moment four deer appear to be carried away by floodwaters in Boerne, Texas.
Officials asked residents near the Guadalupe River to shelter in place and move to the highest level of their home.
Another round of slow-moving storms is pounding already drenched areas of southern Texas. More than 75 people have been rescued from rising floodwater, according to Gov. Greg Abbott.
At least 2 dead in flooding. Here's what the next 24 hours could bring in Texas
While water levels have receded in some areas of Texas hit with catastrophic flooding, state officials are urging residents to remain vigilant after the deluge left at least two residents dead.
More rain looms ahead, including another possible round of heavy rain overnight into Friday.
“Together, all of us Texans can be diligent over the next 24 hours to make sure we avoid rising water or heading into water on roadways,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said at a Thursday afternoon news conference. “If we can do that, we’ll make it through this episode with nobody else losing their life.”
Here’s what to know about the flooding threat over the next day:
- Cities at risk: Uvalde and Johnson City are the cities most at risk for the next 24 hours, according to the governor.
- Flood watch: A flood watch for hard-hit areas of south-central Texas is in effect until 12 p.m. CT Friday. The watch includes the US 90 corridor west of San Antonio, the Hill Country, the Rio Grande Valley and the southern Edwards Plateau.
- Forecast: Another flare-up of storms could hit similar areas Thursday night into early Friday morning and trigger more flooding. Additional rainfall totals between 2 and 4 inches are expected, with isolated spots possibly seeing up to 8 inches. There are some indications in forecast models the next round of heaviest rain may be northwest of the hardest-hit areas. The weather pattern that has caused this week’s flooding will finally loosen its grip by Friday afternoon, kicking off a dry stretch lasting through the weekend.
Man dies after being swept away with mobile home, wife tells San Antonio Express-News
One of the people who died in the Central Texas flooding was a 65-year-old Kerrville man who was swept away while in his mobile home, his wife confirmed to the San Antonio Express-News.
The victim, John Mark Steward, called his neighbor at 3:06 a.m. and told him his mobile home was flooding, the neighbor, Mike Eifert, told the newspaper. By the time Eifert could reach Steward, the mobile home started to float away, according to the neighbor.
Steward’s wife, Jennie Steward, was out of town at the time and she told the newspaper the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office called her to confirm her husband’s death.
In a Facebook post, Jennie Steward said she would be forever grateful for the “beautiful years” she spent with her husband.
Steward ran track and played football at Westlake High School outside Austin, Texas, according to an Instagram post from the school.
CNN has not been able to confirm Steward’s death with authorities.
Comal County, Texas, issues evacuation order along Guadalupe River
Comal County, Texas, issued a mandatory evacuation order Thursday evening for areas along the Guadalupe River due to flooding threats.
The evacuation order is limited to the stretch of the river from the Comal County line at the Guadalupe River State Park to FM 311. Only those in areas along the river are being asked to evacuate.
“Do not wait to see how conditions develop. Leave while roads are still passable,” the evacuation order said.
The county is about 40 miles north of San Antonio.
CNN video shows Guadalupe River's current water levels
CNN video shows the Guadalupe River in Kerrville, Texas, remains swollen Thursday evening. Multiple trees have been knocked down as the raging waters continue rushing downstream, following heavy rainfall in the area.
Officials said Thursday afternoon that while most of the flooding in Kerrville has receded, the Guadalupe River remains at a flood stage.
Texas company installs more than 100 flood-warning towers along Guadalupe River
A Texas-based company installed 105 flood-warning towers along the Guadalupe River ahead of the most recent flooding event in the Kerr County area.
The founders of River Sentry were approached by several camps in the area asking to build a warning system to avoid another catastrophic event like last year’s July 4 flooding of the river, said CEO and founder Ian Cunningham.
The overflowing water is detected by water sensors, then high-intensity lights illuminate an escape route and finally, sirens activate saying, “Flood danger, flood danger, run to higher ground.”
“The same circumstances that occurred last year occurred again this morning but this time, our towers intervened and woke people and got them out of the way,” Cunningham said. “You could make the argument that these were critical in intervening and saving lives.”
Cunningham added three of the towers were swept away by floodwaters but they were recovered and will be repaired.
The company is looking to expand and add more towers in flood-prone areas.
“We want to show that it’s technologically provable and financially feasible to have this equipment wherever people are sleeping near water,” Cunningham said.
No one can be complacent when water levels rise, Gov. Abbott says
Last year’s catastrophic Guadalupe River floods served as a reminder for people to react quickly to flooding threats, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said during a news conference Thursday.
“What happened last year was a warning to people on or near rivers … that no one can be complacent when rainfall and waters rise,” Abbott said.
Authorities have applied lessons learned from last year’s flooding and have been more proactive with evacuations, according to Abbott.
More than 80 people were evacuated from campgrounds near the river before floodwaters reached dangerous levels, Abbott said. In Kerr County, warning sirens were activated in the early morning hours before water levels began to rise, Texas Division Management Chief Nim Kidd added.
“Now we’re being very aggressive when the waters start coming down the skies and start rising out of rivers,” Abbott said.
“We will take experiences gained from this flooding event and evaluate if further walls are needed or the existing walls need to be recalibrated,” he added.
First responders conduct more than 230 rescues in Texas, governor says
First responders have conducted more than 230 rescues in Texas amid heavy rains and flooding, Gov. Greg Abbott said during a Thursday afternoon news conference.
More than 85 boats, 20 aircrafts and 200 high-profile vehicles have been deployed to assist in rescues, the governor said.
“Human life remains the focus right now,” Abbott said.
At least 2 dead in central Texas floods, governor says
At least two people have died in the central Texas flooding, Gov. Greg Abbott told reporters Thursday.
One victim is a male near Comfort, Texas, who was swept away in an RV, Abbott said at the news conference.
Another is a 74-year-old man in Uvalde who was swept away while driving, according to the governor’s office.
Around 10:30 a.m. today, Uvalde police were notified by the Texas Department of Public Safety about a vehicle bobbing in floodwaters four miles north of Uvalde, according to a news release. A DPS boat team then approached the vehicle and confirmed that the driver had died.
Timely flood warning alerts saved lives, Kerrville mayor says
Timely warning alerts issued across the community have saved lives as flooding continues in Kerr County, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring said during a news conference Thursday.
“Make no mistake, having accurate warnings in time saved lives today,” Herring said.
Herring thanked state and local authorities for working to improve flood warning systems following last year’s deadly Guadalupe River floods.
The flooding brings back painful memories for the community, as many residents are still grieving the losses caused by last July’s floods, Kerrville Police Chief Jerel Haley added.
“We are still reeling from what happened a year ago,” Haley said. “To have this happen again so suddenly is literally quite devastating for a lot of us.”
Kerr County resident: "I think people definitely just learned from last year"
Jake Lamb, 22, crossed a bridge over the Guadalupe River in the middle of the night to tend to a property that was flooding on the north side of Ingram, Texas. By the time he tried to cross back 30 minutes later, the bridge was underwater.
“It was mayhem,” he told CNN’s Ed Lavandera. Lamb drove around Ingram and Kerrville in the dark, capturing video of structures being flooded and first responders trying to access buildings.
More than 12 hours later, on Thursday afternoon, Lamb was still unable to cross the bridge and return home–the raging waters of the Guadalupe still dangerously high. He stood in shorts and a hoodie along the waterline, waiting for the waters to recede.
The rising river carried haunting reminders of last summer’s devastating floods. “Everybody’s still dealing with it,” he said. “It hasn’t fully recovered out here.”
Lamb said he received more flash flood warnings on his phone this year than he did before last year’s flood. After the tragic loss of life in 2025, Lamb said people took the warnings more seriously this time.
“Everybody kind of got to higher ground,” he said. “I think people definitely just learned from last year.”
Flooding has receded in most areas of Kerrville, Texas, police chief says
After three creeks and the Guadalupe River overflowed amid heavy rainfall in Kerrville, Texas, overnight, most of the flooding has receded, the city’s police chief said during a news conference Thursday.
The Guadalupe River remains at a flood stage and officials are continuing to monitor the creeks, Chief Jerel Haley said.
First responders evacuated about 50 different residences in flood-prone areas that had “fast water encroaching on them,” the chief said.
Kerrville and Kerr County have declared a disaster due to the flooding and officials have requested state and federal assistance, Haley said.
Where the rain is now
The thunderstorm complex that dumped 4 to 12 inches of rain this morning in the Hill Country has largely dissipated and only a few light showers remain.
But new storms are popping up to the south and are slowly moving into the region. These could drop localized amounts of 1 to 2 inches of additional rain. Any rain that falls can quickly lead to new flash flooding because the ground is still saturated and river levels remain elevated.
Another round of more intense and long-lasting rainfall will develop later this evening as winds funnel more moisture into the region. Up to 8 inches of additional rain is expected through Friday morning in parts of the hardest hit areas of the Southern Edwards Plateau, Rio Grande Plains and western Hill Country.
City of Kerrville officials hold briefing on flash flooding
Kerrville city officials are now holding a news conference on flash flooding hitting their area.
Just one year ago, the city was devastated by catastrophic flooding in the Texas Hill Country that killed 130 people.
Officials are expected to discuss the city’s operations as central Texas reels from widespread flooding and days of heavy rain.
