Texas Hill Country flood updates: Abbott says 1 dead as rivers continue to rise at historic levels

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Last updated: Thursday, July 16, 2026 5:08PM GMT
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Rain continuing to fall over the Texas Hill Country has prompted several counties to be under flash flood warnings, with the biggest concern being rapidly rising creeks and rivers.

According to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, one person has died, and more than 75 people have been rescued.

The National Weather Service announced that a gauge along the Guadalupe River had risen 32 feet in just four hours and was expected to reach a crest similar to the catastrophic July 4, 2025, river flood.

Abbott said in a press conference on Wednesday that disaster declarations had been made for 59 counties, with the possibility of more being added.

ABC13 is continuing to follow the dangerous floods in the Texas Hill Country and will bring you live updates.

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2 hours and 6 minutes ago

Kerr County Sheriff's Office says all campers are accounted for amid torrential flooding

The Kerr County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that all campsites and their campers are safe amid torrential rain over the last 24 hours.

As of Thursday morning, officials said that the Texas Hill Country is under two flash flood emergencies as rain pummels the area in record time. Evacuations are underway, and several water rescues have been conducted as the sheriff's office said the conditions are continuing to change rapidly.

The Kerr County Sheriff's Office said it, in coordination with the City of Kerrville, the site of deadly 2025 Camp Mystic flooding, has actively responded to the rising of the Guadalupe River. The river, officials said, rose to 73 feet just before 6 a.m.

Three shelters have been established for those in need of shelter:

  • Calvary Temple, 3000 TX-534 Loop in Kerrville
  • Texas City West Church, 3139 Junction Highway in Ingram, Texas
  • Center Point ISD Gymnasium, 215 China St. in Center Point, Texas

ByJESSE BEDAYN and JAMIE STENGLE AP logo
2 hours and 22 minutes ago

At least 1 person has died as Texas flooding forces evacuations and high-water rescues, Abbott says

Rescuers plucked stranded drivers and people trapped in homes from catastrophic flooding in Texas while many more fled to higher ground Thursday across a region still recovering from devastating floods just a year ago. Gov. Greg Abbott said at least one person has died in the floods.

After days of pounding rain, the National Weather Service in San Antonio said a "large and deadly flood wave" was barreling down the same river wrecked by flash floods last summer when two dozen children and counselors were killed at Camp Mystic.

Forecasters urgently warned "Move to higher ground now!" as rivers rose hour by hour, turning them into fast-moving seas of white water. Several tornado warnings were also issued.

The Texas Hill Country floods over the July Fourth holiday last year killed more than 100 people.

Abbott said there has been "one loss of life" due to the floods but he did not specify where or when.

As of Wednesday, more than 1,300 personnel were "actively engaged and responding" to the crisis and they have rescued "well over 70 people already," Abbott said during a news conference Thursday morning.

ByJulia Jacobo, Dan Peck, and Kenton Gewecke ABCNews logo
2 hours and 36 minutes ago

Flash flood emergency occurring in same Texas region as Camp Mystic tragedy

There is growing concern about rapidly rising creeks and rivers across the Texas Hill Country following hours of torrential rain.

Torrential rain through Wednesday into Thursday prompted flash flood emergency warnings for Texas Hill Country as water levels in creeks and rivers rose rapidly.

As of Thursday morning, there were two flash flood emergencies ongoing in Texas Hill Country, impacting Kerrville -- the city where the deadly Camp Mystic flooding occurred in July 2025 -- Hunt, Uvalde and Knippa.

Evacuations and water rescues were reported in all four areas, with warnings of life-threatening flash flooding and reports of water entering buildings.

The Guadalupe River at Hunt rose from 9 to 19 feet between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. CT, cutting off access to some roads and bridges.

Engineers assessed the bridge over the Guadalupe River on Highway 87 into Comfort, Texas, due to fears that the force of the water may have made it unstable, Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarcyz told ABC News. The engineers concluded that the bridge is structurally sound for now, ABC News has learned.

Read the full report here.