Catastrophic Texas Flash Floods Force Mass Rescues Across 59 Counties

Much of Texas is going to be under a renewed threat of flash flooding as torrential rain continues to hammer the state. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a disaster declaration for 59 counties as the situation continues to escalate. Flood watches are in effect for more than six million people across central and southwest Texas, including Austin, Del Rio, San Angelo, and San Antonio. Read on for what parts of the Lone Star State need to be prepared for the potential of a dangerous flash flooding event.

Highest Flood Risk Issued Back-to-Back for the First Time Since 2025

Wednesday marks the second consecutive day the Weather Prediction Center has issued its highest level of excessive rainfall risk for parts of south-central Texas — the first time the agency has issued the alert on back-to-back days since April 2025.

Surge of Tropical Moisture Amplifies Texas Flooding Threat

Localized rainfall totals of a foot or more are possible across portions of Texas through Thursday night. Forecasters are warning that the repeated nature of the heavy rain bands will be capable of flooding roadways, homes, and low-lying areas.

The forecast is calling for the downpours to persist through Thursday night. Several inches of moisture have already been recorded in a zone from the Big Bend region along the Rio Grande River into the upper portion of the Texas coast.

For instance, the community of Sheffield notched 9.68 inches in a period of 24 hours ending Tuesday morning. Federal forecasters estimated between 6 and 16 inches of rain had fallen over 24 hours in Uvalde County as of Wednesday morning, with water rescues reported and life-threatening flooding described as imminent in multiple counties. By the end of Tuesday, at least 45 people had been pulled from floodwaters in Uvalde County alone, with multiple additional rescues carried out in neighboring Medina County. It has been a soggy time for beachgoers in Galveston, with 3.22 inches of rain over the same 24-hour period. Radar estimates indicate that widespread rainfall amounts of 5 to 7 inches have been the story for Texas Hill Country west of San Antonio.

The flooding is hitting close to home for many Texas families. The current warnings arrive barely more than one year after flash flooding killed more than 130 people in Kerr County on the July 4 holiday, when many children were attending summer camp and families packed RV parks and vacation homes along the Guadalupe River. Residents across the region continue to feel intense anxiety when heavy rain arrives.

Unfortunately for the waterlogged region, more rain is on the horizon through late Thursday. Western and central Texas are no strangers to flash flooding events. The limited green space pairs with hardpan soils to support rapid runoff when the rain comes down too quickly.

By the time that the weather maker wraps up late Thursday, a large swath of the state will have picked up 4 to 8 inches of rain. The heart of this zone will see rainfall totals up to a foot, with a maximum of 24 inches possible.

This degree of moisture is similar to what you would expect when a tropical depression or storm stalls out over a small area. While this system contains tropical moisture, it has not taken on defined tropical characteristics worthy of becoming a named feature.

Some of the hardest-hit areas could see rainfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour. Rain of this magnitude will easily overwhelm drainage systems and raise the risk of rapid rises on creeks and rivers. Emergency officials are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel, especially overnight, and to never attempt to drive through flooded roadways. Do not drive around barricades — water may be deeper than it appears and can cause a vehicle to stall, float, or be swept away.

What to Expect by the End of the Week

The weather pattern driving the soggy conditions across the heartland of Texas will begin to fall apart by the end of the week. The heaviest rain bands are then expected to set up over central and northern portions of Florida and up into the Carolinas. A separate area of concern may come together over the interior Southwest as monsoonal moisture flows up from the south.

However, that does not mean that Texas will be in the clear this weekend. Scattered thunderstorms will support the development of more rain and localized flash flood concerns even after the current system fades away.

Weather changes fast, so help your community stay prepared. Share this story with friends, family, or your group chat, and keep your forecast in the now with Weather Forecast Now.