ENVIRONMENT

Texas Hill Country flooding prompts rescues, evacuations, declaration

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Catastrophic flash flooding across South Texas and the Texas Hill Country has forced evacuations and prompted a disaster declaration as torrential rain continues for a third straight day. The National Weather Service has kept a Level 4 of 4 High Risk for excessive rainfall over parts of the Edwards Plateau, central Rio Grande Valley and Hill Country, where 10 to 16 inches of rain have already fallen and an additional 4 to 8 inches are forecast through early Thursday. Governor Greg Abbott’s disaster declaration covers 59 counties, while at least 25 people have been rescued in Uvalde County and river levels continue to rise.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Tuesday Governor Abbott issues disaster declaration
Tuesday State Emergency Operations Center escalates response
By Wednesday morning over 25 Uvalde rescues
Wednesday Uvalde shelter opens at county fairplex
Wednesday Uvalde police request Leona River evacuations
Wednesday Bandera County orders RV park evacuations
Wednesday Boerne urges Cibolo Creek area evacuations
Through Wednesday night runoff worsens Nueces, Frio flooding

Why This Matters to You

This flooding in Texas Hill Country could affect your safety if you're in the area. Check local advisories and be prepared to evacuate if necessary. Even if you're not in Texas, it's a reminder to stay informed about local weather conditions.

The Bottom Line

Texas is grappling with severe flash flooding, prompting evacuations and a disaster declaration. The situation is ongoing, with more rain expected. If you have friends or family in the affected areas, it's worth forwarding this to keep them updated.