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

Texas Faces Renewed Flooding Crisis as Death Toll Rises to Two

At least 2 dead in Texas – Southern Texas is grappling with severe flash flooding following an extended period of heavy precipitation, resulting in at least two fatalities and the rescue of hundreds of residents. This latest weather event has struck the same geographic region that experienced catastrophic flooding last July, bringing back painful memories for communities still recovering from that disaster.

Rescue Operations Underway

Texas Governor Greg Abbott reported Thursday afternoon that emergency responders have conducted more than 230 rescues so far. The state has mobilized substantial resources to combat the rising waters, including over 85 boats, 20 aircraft, and 200 high-profile vehicles deployed to assist with evacuation efforts.

Among those who perished was a man swept away while traveling in a recreational vehicle, according to Abbott. John Mark Steward, aged 65, was carried off in his mobile home in Kerrville. His wife provided confirmation to The San Antonio Express-News, though CNN has not yet been able to verify Steward’s death directly with local authorities.

A second victim was a 74-year-old man whose name has not been publicly released. Police reported that he died while driving near Uvalde. A Department of Public Safety crew observed his vehicle floating in floodwaters approximately four miles north of the city around 10:30 a.m. local time. The Uvalde Police Department later confirmed the man’s death on Thursday.

Rainfall and Weather Outlook

Parts of southern Texas have received roughly a year’s worth of rainfall this week alone. However, meteorologists indicate that conditions are beginning to improve in the most severely affected areas. While isolated showers may still occur, the danger of additional heavy precipitation has largely passed for now.

The flash flood threat is shifting toward regions farther west, including areas from San Angelo and Junction extending to El Paso. These locations have not experienced the same volume of rain as the southern regions this week. Flash flood warnings remained active across these western areas on Thursday morning.

Historical Context and Warning Systems

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency—its most severe alert level—early Thursday for Kerrville, Ingram, and Hunt. These communities were among the hardest hit during the devastating floods of last July, which claimed at least 130 lives, including 25 girls and two counselors from Camp Mystic.

Authorities cautioned that a substantial and deadly flood wave was traveling down the Guadalupe River. The river crested at 37.94 feet in Center Point on Thursday morning, a level slightly lower than last year’s peak. Meanwhile, a river gauge in Comfort recorded water levels rising by 25 feet within a single hour.

“The same circumstances that occurred last year occurred again this morning but this time, our towers intervened and woke people and got them out of the way,” said Ian Cunningham, founder and CEO of River Sentry.

Cunningham’s company installed 105 flood-warning towers along the Guadalupe River following last year’s tragedy. Officials noted that these warning systems were activated in Kerr County during the early hours before water levels began climbing, enabling residents to respond swiftly to the emerging threat.

Evacuations and Community Response

More than 80 individuals were evacuated from riverside campgrounds before floodwaters reached hazardous levels, the governor stated. In Comfort, 42 relatives attending their family’s 40th annual reunion fled a riverside hotel on Thursday morning, according to CNN affiliate KENS.

“We grabbed just what we needed and what we could get right away,” Amy Thogmartin, who had traveled from Brooklyn, told KENS. “But the priority was to get out. And we’re glad we did, because the people that got back immediately after that, maybe 20 minutes later, the water had risen maybe another 10 feet.”

Video footage from the Hill Country captured water overwhelming streets and engulfing bridges while first responders extracted stranded residents from the current. Families surveyed the extensive damage left behind. One family reported sheltering for several hours in their Kerrville home’s attic as rising water accumulated beneath them, until a rescue boat finally arrived.

In Boerne, dramatic footage showed a group of deer being swept away by the powerful floodwaters. All children’s summer camps in Kerr County confirmed that their campers were safe, according to the county sheriff’s office. First responders cleared approximately 50 homes located in flood-prone zones, said Kerrville police chief Jerel Haley.

The flooding has reignited grief for many residents still mourning the losses from last July’s disaster. “We are still reeling from what happened a year ago,” Haley explained. “To have this happen again so suddenly is literally quite devastating for a lot of us.” Some residents said the alerts bought them precious time to evacuate before waters surged through their neighborhoods.