At least 2 dead in Texas floods as hundreds rescued in same region as Camp Mystic disaster
Rescue Efforts Amid Rising Waters
At least 2 dead in Texas – Severe flash flooding has swept through southern Texas after days of relentless rain, resulting in at least two fatalities and prompting hundreds of rescues. The region, previously devastated by catastrophic floods in July 2025, is once again facing water-related emergencies. Governor Greg Abbott reported over 230 rescues so far, with more than 85 boats, 20 aircraft, and 200 high-profile vehicles deployed to aid the response.
Among the victims was a man who was swept away in his recreational vehicle, according to Abbott. His wife shared that John Mark Steward, 65, died after being carried off in his mobile home in Kerrville. While CNN has not yet confirmed his death with local authorities, another 74-year-old man, whose identity remains undisclosed, also perished near Uvalde. Police stated that a public safety crew discovered his vehicle floating in floodwaters about four miles north of the city at 10:30 a.m. local time and later verified his death.
“We grabbed just what we needed and what we could get right away,” Amy Thogmartin, who traveled from Brooklyn, told KENS. “But the priority was to get out. And we’re glad we did, because the people that got back immediately after that, maybe 20 minutes later, the water had risen maybe another 10 feet.”
Flood Impact and Regional Threats
Southern Texas has received over a year’s worth of rainfall this week, though conditions are now improving in the most affected areas. Isolated showers remain a possibility, but the risk of heavy downpours has largely subsided. The immediate threat now shifts to regions further west, including San Angelo, Junction, and El Paso, which have experienced less precipitation.
Earlier this week, a flash flood emergency was declared for parts of north-central Sutton County due to slow-moving storms. This includes the city of Sonora, located approximately 100 miles northwest of the hardest-hit zones. In Kerrville, a flash flood alert was issued early Thursday, affecting areas previously inundated a year ago, which claimed the lives of at least 130 people, including 25 girls and two counselors.
Community Response and Warning Systems
Authorities highlighted the role of newly implemented warning systems in mitigating the disaster. “The same circumstances that occurred last year occurred again this morning but this time, our towers intervened and woke people and got them out of the way,” said Ian Cunningham, founder of River Sentry, which installed 105 flood-warning towers along the Guadalupe River. These systems enabled quick evacuations as water levels surged, with over 80 individuals evacuated from riverside campgrounds before conditions became critical.
In Comfort, a river gauge recorded a 25-foot rise in water levels within an hour, surpassing last July’s record by over a foot. A group of 42 relatives, gathered for their family’s 40th annual reunion, fled a riverside hotel as floodwaters approached. Kerr County’s summer camps confirmed all campers were accounted for, according to the sheriff’s office. Meanwhile, first responders cleared approximately 50 homes in flood-prone zones, with some residents recounting how water swallowed streets and bridges in the Hill Country.
Footage from Boerne captured deer being swept away by the deluge, while a family in Kerrville described seeking refuge in their home’s attic as floodwaters rose beneath them. “We are still reeling from what happened a year ago,” said Kerrville Police Chief Jerel Haley. “The current floods have reignited memories of the devastation we endured, and many in the community are still mourning the losses.”
