At least 25 people had been rescued in Uvalde County by Wednesday morning as torrential rain continued across South Texas and the Hill Country, where federal forecasters warned that significant to catastrophic flash flooding remained likely into early Thursday.
The National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center kept a Level 4 of 4 High Risk of excessive rainfall over portions of the Edwards Plateau, central Rio Grande Valley and Hill Country. Between 10 and 16 inches had already fallen in parts of the Hill Country west of San Antonio, and the center’s Wednesday midday update called for another 4 to 8 inches through early Thursday, with locally higher totals possible.
Rainfall rates could reach 2 to 4 inches per hour in the strongest storms. The National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio office warned that the U.S. 90 corridor west of San Antonio faced the greatest danger, with potential downstream flooding in the Pecos, Rio Grande, Nueces, Frio, Medina and San Antonio river basins.
Rescues continue as rivers rise
Uvalde County officials said during a 10 a.m. news conference that responders had rescued at least 25 people and that additional rescues were underway. A temporary shelter remained open at the Uvalde County Fairplex, and police asked residents near the Leona River to voluntarily evacuate, according to a report published Wednesday.
Medina County responders rescued four people from vehicles Tuesday. Rain resumed early Wednesday and began covering roadways again as already saturated soil sent water rapidly into creeks and low-lying areas.
The highest-risk area included all or parts of Medina, Frio, Uvalde, Kinney, Maverick, Zavala, Val Verde, Edwards, Real and Bandera counties. Forecasters urged residents to avoid low-water crossings and warned that rivers, creeks and arroyos could rise quickly even where nearby conditions appeared dry.
Abbott declares disaster in 59 counties
Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration Tuesday covering 59 counties and directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to continue operating the State Emergency Operations Center at Level II, or escalated response.
The proclamation cited heavy rainfall and flash flooding that threatened widespread property damage, injury or loss of life. State agencies placed resources on standby, including the Texas Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas National Guard.
“Texas is positioned to respond quickly and effectively,” Abbott said. “I urge all Texans in affected areas to monitor local weather forecasts, avoid driving through flooded roadways, and have emergency supplies ready.”
Region remains on edge one year after deadly flood
The renewed threat arrived just over a year after the July 4, 2025, Hill Country flood. A legislative report released June 18 listed 117 confirmed deaths in Kerr County and two people still missing.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Kerr County lacked outdoor flood-warning sirens during the disaster after earlier funding requests and plans failed to produce a comprehensive system.
Texas lawmakers later enacted requirements for outdoor warning sirens in designated flash flood-prone areas and strengthened camp safety standards, including emergency planning and evacuation requirements.
The National Weather Service said the dangerous flash-flooding threat would continue through Thursday, with heavy-rain chances shifting west before conditions begin easing Friday. Residents in affected areas should keep multiple ways to receive alerts, follow local evacuation instructions and never drive through a flooded roadway.
Provided by Dallas Express
