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Austin, Texas — Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday issued a disaster declaration for 59 counties as severe storms and potentially life-threatening flash flooding threaten large parts of the state. The order activates additional state resources and directs the Texas Division of Emergency Management to maintain 24-hour operations at the Texas State Emergency Operations Center at Level II, an escalated response posture, to support local communities. Abbott said the declaration is intended to ensure the state can rapidly deploy assistance and respond quickly and effectively as conditions evolve. State officials said additional counties may be added to the declaration as conditions warrant and more information becomes available from local authorities and forecasters. Forecasters warn that a dangerous, multi-day flooding event is unfolding Wednesday and Thursday, July 15–16, with repeated rounds of thunderstorms expected over the Edwards Plateau, Texas Hill Country, and Rio Grande Valley. The area faces a moderate risk of excessive rainfall, the second-highest category, with the environment capable of producing rainfall rates of 2 inches per hour or more and storm totals of 3 to 6 inches across wide areas, and isolated amounts of 10 to 15 inches where storms train over the same locations. The National Weather Service and Weather Prediction Center say the slow-moving pattern and weak steering winds could lead to rapid runoff, significant hydrologic concerns and life-threatening flash flooding, particularly in the flood-prone Hill Country during the busy summer travel and camp season.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.