Severe Flooding in Texas: Urgent Rescues and Evacuations Underway

A storm system swept through North and Central Texas on Sunday, causing severe flooding. This led to numerous rescues and evacuations in multiple counties. Sadly, these events follow a devastating week in the Hill Country, where floods took the lives of at least 120 people.

Governor Greg Abbott reported ongoing rescue efforts in San Saba, Lampasas, and Schleicher counties. Evacuations also occurred in places like Menard and Kimble counties. He mentioned on X that operations were expanding in affected areas while they kept an eye on rising waters in Kerrville, where many rescues from previous floods were focused.

By Sunday afternoon, dozens of residents in Lampasas had already been rescued. Reports indicated successful evacuations in San Saba County too, as emergency responders and volunteers informed locals about mandatory evacuation orders. Emergency Management Coordinator Marsha Hardy expressed hope that the rain would ease, allowing them to begin recovery efforts soon.

In a call for caution, U.S. Rep. August Pfluger reminded residents on social media that the river was rising rapidly, urging them to take the situation seriously.

While some areas in Kendall and Menard counties were advised to evacuate voluntarily, emergency crews in Kerr County had to pause their search efforts for last week’s flood victims, only resuming them later when conditions improved. The Ingram Fire Department ordered evacuations along the Guadalupe River due to the high risk of more flash floods.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported alarming flood levels at various rivers, including the San Saba River, which surged to 27 feet. These serious conditions prompted mandatory evacuation orders from local officials. Fortunately, by the afternoon, floodwaters in Lampasas started to recede.

Sunday evening saw the National Weather Service extending its flood watch through Monday morning, as more rain was anticipated overnight. The soil, already saturated from previous storms, made the area vulnerable to further flooding.

Just a week before these events, flash floods devastated other parts of Texas. On July 4, waters climbed rapidly in the Guadalupe River, destroying homes and washing away vehicles. Rescue efforts since then have employed helicopters, boats, and drones to assist those stranded.

This summer has shown that flash flooding can escalate quickly, often leading to tragic outcomes. In June, for example, over seven inches of rain fell in San Antonio, leading to dozens of rescues and at least 13 fatalities.

As Texas faces ongoing challenges from severe weather, communities are urged to stay alert and prepared.

For more details, you can read about the flooding impacts on various rivers in Texas from NOAA.

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