2 people dead amid record-breaking catastrophic flooding in Hill Country, Governor Abbott confirms

AUSTIN, Texas (KTRK) -- A second person is reported dead after catastrophic flooding in the Texas Hill Country, according to Governor Greg Abbott.

A man who died near Comfort was swept away in an RV, while another woman was killed when the car she was driving was swept away near Uvalde, the governor said.

River levels reach record-breaking levels

At a press conference, Abbott confirmed that the Nueces River near Uvalde set a new record, rushing at twice the flow of Niagara Falls.

The Frio River, also near Uvalde, is seeing a top-five worst crest record, while the Guadalupe River near Comfort is seeing a top-three worst crest, higher than last year's disaster.

Last year, the July 4 floods claimed the lives of over 100 people, most of them in Kerr County, as water levels along the Guadalupe River rose rapidly.

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

Risk remains as more rain expected, resources deployed in preparation

While the death toll is nowhere near last year's, Abbott urged people to stay safe as more rain is expected on Thursday night, citing the heaviest risk in areas of Uvalde and Johnson City for the next 24 hours. Officials added that the risk of tornadoes remains.

The governor said that more than 2,300 first responders across various agencies, including those from outside Texas, were conducting rescues throughout the Hill Country region, with at least 230 rescues already completed. More than 85 boats and 21 aircraft were deployed to help with the rescues.

Videos shared with ABC13 showed helicopters lifting victims from dangerous areas surrounded by water.

Texas Department of Emergency Management W. Nim Kidd said that the community of Uvalde was cut off from road access from all sides.

The Texas Game Wardens were deployed across Uvalde, Medina, Kerr, Bandera, Real, Val Verde, Kimble, and Comal Counties.

Community comes together

Though the catastrophe was far from over, community members in Kerrville gathered at Taqueria Jalisco to clean up the flood's aftermath.

Volunteers were seen power washing mud-riddled restaurant furniture and various items, such as plates and utensils.

Owner Abel Vazquez said he was shocked by the floodwaters that created a wave that swept everything in its path.

"It just, all of a sudden, the creek flowed out," Vazquez said. "The water lines reached almost all the way to the ceiling ... as far as the people we know, we thank God nobody got hurt."

A home next door to Taqueria Jalisco was found with vehicles rammed against it, showing the sheer power of the nearby rushing river.

Kerrville residents who spoke to ABC13 said the damage they've seen is worse than that of the July 4 floods of last year.