Live updates: At least 1 dead as flooding hits Texas Hill Country again

Severe Flooding Reaches Texas Hill Country

Severe flooding hit the Texas Hill Country on Thursday, July 16, 2026, resulting in at least one confirmed death. The disaster occurred just over a year after deadly July 2025 floods, prompting mass evacuations and water rescues. Officials report that emergency sirens and updated safety measures were deployed as rivers rose rapidly.

Communities across the Texas Hill Country are grappling with another cycle of catastrophic flooding, with state officials confirming at least one death linked to the rising waters as of Thursday. The flooding, which has triggered emergency evacuations and the deployment of search and rescue teams, comes just over a year after a series of deadly floods devastated the same region during the July 2025 holiday weekend. Kerr County and the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office confirmed there was one death from the flooding around Center Point, Texas, southeast of Kerrville. Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday that officials were working to confirm additional details about the victim, noting that the sheriff’s office said the person’s identity won’t be released until next of kin are notified. It remains unclear whether Abbott and county officials are referring to the same victim.

The City of Kerrville gave an update on the severe flooding in the area, with officials stating they are “still reeling” from the deadly July 4th floods last year. Heavy rainfall prompted a flash flood emergency for Kerr County and a shelter-in-place alert for Kerrville. Uvalde County is also under the emergency order as storms pass through the region.

Emergency Response and Ongoing Rescues

State and local agencies have mobilized a massive response effort to address the current crisis. According to the Texas Game Wardens, to date, they have successfully participated in the rescue of more than 40 individuals from submerged vehicles and flooded homes, particularly in the hardest-hit areas like Uvalde County. Gov. Greg Abbott stated that more than 1,300 responders are currently engaged in rescue operations, with more than 70 people rescued in total. The National Weather Service said a “large and deadly flood wave” was barreling down the same river wrecked by flash floods last summer.

Abbott emphasized the priority of the state’s efforts, stating, Our number one focus is saving lives. The governor also addressed the status of summer camps, noting that it appeared that many of the summer camps hit hard last year were not facing any danger during this event. Early morning rain pounded a large swath of southwest Texas and the Hill Country, triggering urgent flash flood warnings, sirens, water rescues, and calls to seek higher ground in already drenched areas.

Testing New Flood Preparedness Legislation

This week’s widespread flooding has become one of the first major tests of legislation passed during last summer’s special sessions. A year after catastrophic flooding in the Texas Hill Country prompted lawmakers to overhaul the state’s flood preparedness laws, Texans are once again watching rivers rise. During last year’s special sessions, Gov. Greg Abbott and lawmakers promised changes that would better prepare communities before the next disaster struck.

The flooding that swept through the Hill Country last July killed more than 130 people and prompted lawmakers to approve new safety requirements for youth camps, fund flood warning sirens, expand weather monitoring infrastructure, and invest hundreds of millions of dollars. While some residents were forced to flee, many in the Texas Hill Country said they were better prepared and able to flee to higher ground this time. Forecasters urgently warned residents to “Move to higher ground now!” as rivers rose hour by hour, turning them into fast-moving seas of white water. In some spots, the Guadalupe River rose by more than 30 feet.

Impact and Ongoing Search Efforts

The current flooding comes as the region continues to live with the memory of the July 4th weekend deadly flooding from the previous year. As of the current events, the National Weather Service has issued multiple flash flood warnings and emergency notices. While the state moves toward a drier weather pattern after Tuesday, a Flood Watch remains in effect for parts of Central Texas. The ongoing threat of flooding has hindered search efforts in the Texas Hill Country, where teams continue to face challenges in the aftermath of the previous year’s catastrophic and devastating flash flooding.

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