Catastrophic flooding has again claimed at least two lives in Texas Hill Country, just over a year after a similar deluge overwhelmed the region and killed more than 130 people. USA TODAY reported the deaths on July 17, 2026, at 9:07 a.m. ET, highlighting the recurring devastation faced by local communities.
One of the victims was identified by his wife, Jennie Steward, as 65-year-old John Mark Steward of Kerrville. Mrs. Steward, away visiting her parents, learned from a neighbor that their mobile home had been swept away. "It’s really hard that I wasn’t there with him," she told the Associated Press, noting they'd just celebrated their third anniversary. Governor Greg Abbott confirmed a male near Comfort died after being swept away in an RV, and a female in Uvalde was swept away while driving on a road.
Extreme rainfall has deluged parts of Texas Hill Country, with some areas receiving nearly two feet of water in recent days. The Weather Prediction Center reported 23.37 inches of rain in Leakey, Texas, since Monday afternoon. Another recording station in Kerrville, a community hit hard by storms in July 2025, registered 20.71 inches of rain.
Governor Abbott stated on July 16 that most of the rain concentrated in Uvalde, Kinney, Bandera, Kerr, and Gillespie counties, where widespread totals ranged between 6 and 13 inches. The National Weather Service anticipates more heavy rain on July 17 due to a slow-moving weather pattern.
This renewed rainfall has caused major rivers, including the Guadalupe, Nueces, and Frio, to surge to near or over record levels. The Nueces River near Uvalde reached a preliminary record crest of 28.01 feet on July 16, surpassing its 1996 record of 24.88 feet. Abbott warned the Nueces was expected to reach two times the flow of Niagara Falls.
Photos from Kerrville depict water from the Guadalupe River covering roads and downed trees, erasing familiar landmarks. Video shared by Texas Game Wardens showed vehicles submerged and being swept away in the torrent. Hundreds of water rescues have been performed, Abbott confirmed.
The Recurring Cost to Local Texans
Governor Abbott confirmed the two deaths on July 16, emphasizing the state's efforts. "We're facing record-shattering rainfall that leads to very dangerous flooding. We want to do everything we possibly can to protect all lives," he said. Fifty-nine Texas counties remained under a flood watch.
More than 230 water rescues have been performed since the flooding began, according to Abbott. He detailed the deployment of 2,350 emergency responders and approximately 1,400 vehicles, including helicopters, rescue boats, and high-profile vehicles. Texas Game Wardens have been instrumental in these operations, rescuing individuals from homes, submerged vehicles, and cars swept off roads. They shared video of a responder carrying a small child, wearing a life vest and snorkel goggles, through floodwaters to a waiting boat, alongside footage of a helicopter rescue.
This current disaster echoes the devastating floods just over a year ago, on the night and early morning of July 4, 2025. That event saw the Guadalupe River pour into surrounding communities, claiming more than 130 lives. Among the dead were 28 individuals at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls, a significant cultural institution for the region. The repeated destruction impacts the continuity of local life and community structures.
Abbott claimed that lessons learned from the 2025 flooding event helped prevent further catastrophe this time, despite the new fatalities. He noted that flood warning systems installed after the previous disaster were activated, and over 80 people were cleared from riverfront campgrounds early on. Yet, the loss of life and widespread damage underscore the persistent vulnerability of established communities in the face of these recurring deluges.