National

Texas flooding kills two as state braces for historic rains

By Daniel Trotta Reuters

Updated July 17, 2026 1:18 AM

The Pedernales River rises over Old San Antonio Road as heavy rains and severe weather hit southern Texas near Fredericksburg on Thursday. Gov. Greg Abbott said that two people were killed after floodwaters swept them away in their vehicles. — The Pedernales River rises over Old San Antonio Road as heavy rains and severe weather hit southern Texas near Fredericksburg on Thursday. Gov. Greg Abbott said that two people were killed after floodwaters swept them away in their vehicles. Kaylee Greenlee Reuters

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOA864917072026RP1-PREVIEW:48000:MP3 mpeg

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOA864917072026RP1-STREAM:22.050:MP3 mpeg

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOA864917072026RP1-STREAM:48000:M4A aac

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOA864917072026RP1-STREAM:48000:MP3 mpeg

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOA864917072026RP1-STREAM:48000:WAV wav

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOA864917072026RP1-STREAM:48000M:WAV wav

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOA865217072026RP1-PREVIEW:48000:MP3 mpeg

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOA865217072026RP1-STREAM:22.050:MP3 mpeg

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOA865217072026RP1-STREAM:48000:M4A aac

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOA865217072026RP1-STREAM:48000:MP3 mpeg

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOA865217072026RP1-STREAM:48000:WAV wav

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOA865217072026RP1-STREAM:48000M:WAV wav

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOP864917072026RP1-BASEIMAGE:960X540 jpegBaseline

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOP864917072026RP1-THUMBNAIL:160X90 jpegBaseline

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOP864917072026RP1-THUMBNAILGRID jpegBaseline

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOP864917072026RP1-VIEWIMAGE:512X288 jpegBaseline

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOP865217072026RP1-BASEIMAGE:960X540 jpegBaseline

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOP865217072026RP1-THUMBNAIL:160X90 jpegBaseline

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOP865217072026RP1-THUMBNAILGRID jpegBaseline

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOP865217072026RP1-VIEWIMAGE:512X288 jpegBaseline

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOV864917072026RP1-STREAM:2000:16X9:MP4 H264/mpeg

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOV864917072026RP1-STREAM:5128:16X9:MP4 H264/mpeg

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOV864917072026RP1-STREAM:6756:16X9:MPG mpeg

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOV864917072026RP1-STREAM:700:16X9:MP4 H264/mpeg

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOV864917072026RP1-STREAM:700S:16X9:MP4 H264/mpeg

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOV864917072026RP1-STREAM:8256:16X9:MP4 H264/mpeg

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOV864917072026RP1-STREAM:8256M:16X9:MP4 H264/mpeg

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOV864917072026RP1-STREAM:CLOSEDCAPTION:SRT srt

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOV864917072026RP1-STREAM:CLOSEDCAPTION:VTT vtt

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOV864917072026RP1-STREAM:SHOTLIST:JSON json

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOV865217072026RP1-STREAM:2000:16X9:MP4 H264/mpeg

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOV865217072026RP1-STREAM:5128:16X9:MP4 H264/mpeg

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOV865217072026RP1-STREAM:6756:16X9:MPG mpeg

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOV865217072026RP1-STREAM:700:16X9:MP4 H264/mpeg

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOV865217072026RP1-STREAM:700S:16X9:MP4 H264/mpeg

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOV865217072026RP1-STREAM:8256:16X9:MP4 H264/mpeg

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOV865217072026RP1-STREAM:8256M:16X9:MP4 H264/mpeg

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOV865217072026RP1-STREAM:CLOSEDCAPTION:SRT srt

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOV865217072026RP1-STREAM:CLOSEDCAPTION:VTT vtt

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LOV865217072026RP1-STREAM:SHOTLIST:JSON json

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LWD864917072026RP1-STREAM:13756:16X9:HD1080I50:MP4 mp4

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LWD864917072026RP1-STREAM:13756:16X9:HD1080I60:MP4 mp4

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LWD864917072026RP1-STREAM:2128:16X9:MP4 mp4

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LWD864917072026RP1-STREAM:6756:16X9:SD525I30:MPG mpeg

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LWD864917072026RP1-STREAM:6756:16X9:SD625I25:MPG mpeg

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LWD864917072026RP1-STREAM:700s:16X9:MP4 mp4

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LWD864917072026RP1-THUMBNAILGRID jpegBaseline

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LWD864917072026RP1-VIEWIMAGE:768X432 jpegBaseline

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LWD865217072026RP1-STREAM:13756:16X9:HD1080I50:MP4 mp4

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LWD865217072026RP1-STREAM:13756:16X9:HD1080I60:MP4 mp4

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LWD865217072026RP1-STREAM:2128:16X9:MP4 mp4

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LWD865217072026RP1-STREAM:6756:16X9:SD525I30:MPG mpeg

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LWD865217072026RP1-STREAM:6756:16X9:SD625I25:MPG mpeg

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LWD865217072026RP1-STREAM:700s:16X9:MP4 mp4

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LWD865217072026RP1-THUMBNAILGRID jpegBaseline

tag:reuters.com,2026:binary_LWD865217072026RP1-VIEWIMAGE:768X432 jpegBaseline

Torrential rains killed two people in Texas as floodwaters swept them away in their vehicles while the state braced for "record-shattering" rainfall over the next 24 hours, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said on Thursday afternoon.

Emergency responders have conducted 230 rescues, including one of a man and his dog who were plucked from his truck using a helicopter and a rescue swimmer, Abbott said.

Texas has deployed 2,350 emergency responders and 1,400 pieces of equipment, including Black Hawk helicopters and swiftwater rescue boats, as officials seek to avoid the human toll of one year ago when floodwaters swept through the same Texas Hill Country region, killing at least 135 people including 27 campers and counselors, mostly children, at a summer camp.

"We're facing record-shattering rainfall that leads to very dangerous flooding. We want to do everything we possibly can to protect our lives," Abbott, flanked by emergency response officials, told reporters after receiving a briefing.

The National Weather Service reported 10 to 20 inches (25 to 50 cm) of rain had fallen across parts of the Hill Country over the previous two days. The region includes Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls on the Guadalupe River, the site of last year's disaster.

Abbott identified the latest victims as a man swept away in his recreational vehicle and a woman whose vehicle was overtaken by floodwaters.

He urged people to stay off the roads until the storms subside, expected late on Friday. Some 125 roadway sections across the state have been affected, and 87 of those were closed including a bridge that was struck by a barge, he said.

Uvalde and Johnson City were among the areas of greatest concern.

The Nueces River near Uvalde was forecast to exceed its 1996 record crest, while the Frio and Pedernales rivers were expected to reach among their highest levels on record.

(Reporting by Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California; Editing by Chris Reese)

A helicopter flies as Texas Military Department provides support amid heavy rains and severe weather, in West-Central Texas, U.S., in this handout picture released July 16, 2026. Texas Military Department/Handout via REUTERS — A helicopter flies as Texas Military Department provides support amid heavy rains and severe weather, in West-Central Texas, U.S., in this handout picture released July 16, 2026. Texas Military Department/Handout via REUTERS TEXAS MILITARY DEPARTMENT Reuters

Flooding as heavy rains and severe weather hit southern Texas, in Kerrville, Texas, U.S., July 16, 2026, in this screen grab taken from a social media video. @stephen.fortney via Instagram/via REUTERS — Flooding as heavy rains and severe weather hit southern Texas, in Kerrville, Texas, U.S., July 16, 2026, in this screen grab taken from a social media video. @stephen.fortney via Instagram/via REUTERS @stephen.fortney via Instagram Reuters

A road following heavy rains and severe weather in Stonewall, Texas, U.S., July 16, 2026. REUTERS/Kaylee Greenlee — A road following heavy rains and severe weather in Stonewall, Texas, U.S., July 16, 2026. REUTERS/Kaylee Greenlee Kaylee Greenlee Reuters

A Texas Military Department member looks on while taking part in an operation to provide support amid heavy rains and severe weather, in West-Central Texas, U.S., in this handout picture released July 16, 2026. Texas Military Department/Handout via REUTERS — A Texas Military Department member looks on while taking part in an operation to provide support amid heavy rains and severe weather, in West-Central Texas, U.S., in this handout picture released July 16, 2026. Texas Military Department/Handout via REUTERS TEXAS MILITARY DEPARTMENT Reuters

A road is closed after being washed away by the rising Pedernales River following heavy rains and severe weather near Fredericksburg, Texas, U.S., July 16, 2026. REUTERS/Kaylee Greenlee — A road is closed after being washed away by the rising Pedernales River following heavy rains and severe weather near Fredericksburg, Texas, U.S., July 16, 2026. REUTERS/Kaylee Greenlee Kaylee Greenlee Reuters

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published July 17, 2026 at 1:02 AM.