First responders in Texas have been conducting rescue operations to save individuals trapped in rapidly rising floodwaters in the southern part of the state. The incidents occurred following heavy rainfall that led to fatal floods claiming the lives of two people. Water rescues are actively taking place in various areas west of San Antonio, such as Sutton, Crockett, and Zavala counties. Notably, floodwaters overflowed onto Interstate 10 near Ozona, while a section of a bridge over the Nueces River in Uvalde County collapsed.
Since the storms commenced on Tuesday, emergency personnel utilizing boats and helicopters have successfully rescued over 200 individuals, including stranded drivers and residents trapped in residences, as confirmed by Governor Greg Abbott. The U.S. National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency early in the morning for Sonora in Sutton County, located 274 kilometers northwest of San Antonio.
Local authorities, including the sheriff’s office, have been actively engaged in rescue efforts, with one individual already saved via a boat rescue. Residents residing in low-lying areas near the Dry Devils River were advised by officials to evacuate due to heavy rainfall, although the evacuation was not mandatory. Officials in Crockett County reported ongoing boat rescues near Ozona, with many roads submerged and impassable.
In Zavala County, located about 290 kilometers south near the Mexico border, emergency responders are conducting rescue operations and urging residents to avoid the area. The Texas Department of Transportation stated that a significant 80-kilometer stretch of U.S. Highway 57 from La Pryor to its junction with Interstate 35 southwest of San Antonio was closed due to high waters. Some sections of the highway are not anticipated to reopen until Monday.
Flash flood warnings have been issued for multiple counties in the Texas Hill Country, with numerous regions still recovering from devastating floods experienced a year ago. The flood alerts are expected to remain in effect throughout the weekend in downstream locations from severely affected areas as the rainfall tapers off. Anticipated historic river levels are expected in some areas due to the excessive rain, with certain regions receiving over 60 centimeters of rainfall this week.
The inclement weather system, moving slowly, is forecasted to drift in a northwesterly direction on Friday towards the Texas Big Bend in the state’s western region. In Uvalde, one of the severely impacted cities, water levels are receding, and Route 90, a major highway, has been reopened. However, residents in the Chalk Bluff area were urged by authorities to evacuate due to rising waters. The city experienced flooding overnight into Thursday, leading to blockages along the main routes.
Residents impacted by the flooding, like Sandra Gomez in Uvalde, are assessing the damage caused to their homes. Gomez mentioned that approximately six inches of water entered her residence, leaving mud and debris throughout. Although emotional, she expressed gratitude for the safety of her family, emphasizing the irreplaceable nature of familial well-being over material possessions.
The recent flooding incidents have triggered somber recollections of the previous year’s Hill Country floods, which resulted in over 100 fatalities during the July 4th holiday. Despite the current challenges, the Guadalupe River has not surpassed the record levels observed in 2025. Notably, the river near Hunt reached approximately 6.3 meters, sufficient to cause flooding, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey and National Water Prediction Service.
