At least 2 dead in Texas floods as hundreds rescued in same region as Camp Mystic disaster

Southern Texas faces another round of destructive flash flooding this week. Torrential rain triggered river surges that led to at least two confirmed deaths and hundreds of emergency rescues. Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed that state assets, including aircraft and boats, were deployed to reach residents stranded by rising waters. The situation impacts the same Hill Country region that endured massive flooding one year ago.

The response this time included significant intervention from warning systems installed after last year’s disaster. River Sentry, a private firm, activated over 100 flood-warning towers along the Guadalupe River early Thursday morning. Local officials credit these alerts with providing residents enough time to evacuate low-lying areas. Reports from the field indicate that sirens and alerts provided an earlier warning period than the community experienced during the previous tragedy.

Despite the improved notification process, the rainfall volume proved difficult to manage. Parts of the region recorded a year’s worth of rain in just days. The Guadalupe River crested at nearly 38 feet, with one gauge in Comfort recording a 25-foot rise in a single hour. Many families evacuated riverside campgrounds and hotels to escape the path of the water.

Recovery efforts remain underway as the threat shifts to areas further west. Officials warn that the memory of last year’s loss remains fresh, making the sudden return of high water levels difficult for residents. While the immediate threat of heavy rainfall has slowed in the hardest-hit zones, state crews continue to monitor river levels and assist with ongoing rescue operations.