South Texas is grappling with a relentless onslaught of heavy rains, turning streets into rivers and farmlands into lakes. The deluge, which began on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, has led to dozens of high-water rescues and prompted disaster declarations from state officials. As the storms continue to dump rain at a rate of 2 to 4 inches per hour, the region braces for more flooding.
The National Weather Service has issued warnings of potentially dangerous flash flooding, with some areas expected to receive up to 20 inches of rain by the end of the week. The slow-moving storms, fueled by tropical moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, have created a worst-case scenario for flooding in the region.
Catastrophic Flooding Threatens South Texas
The hardest-hit areas include Uvalde County where up to 16 inches of rain have already fallen. The city of Uvalde has seen at least two dozen water rescues, and a local event center has been opened for those displaced by the flooding. In Sabinal officials are also making plans for a shelter.
The threat of catastrophic flooding is not limited to Uvalde County. Kerr County which experienced devastating flash flooding along the Guadalupe River last year, is also under a flash flood warning. Officials have been in contact with summer camps and retreat centers in the area, where river flooding could pose a significant risk.
The highest level of concern for potentially dangerous flooding is for areas west of San Antonio and north of Route 90. The ground in these areas is already saturated, meaning that any additional rain is likely to turn into runoff, exacerbating the flooding situation.
Governor Abbott Declares Disaster for Dozens of Counties
In response to the escalating situation, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued disaster declarations for 59 counties. The declarations allow for the mobilization of state resources and the activation of the Texas Game Warden Search and Rescue Team which has already conducted numerous rescues.
Videos posted by authorities on Tuesday showed rescue crews navigating flooded streets and vehicles being swept away by fast-moving waters. Five people were rescued by the Texas Game Warden Search and Rescue Team, and four were rescued by a local game warden, according to Maggie Berger a spokeswoman for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
The relentless rain is being fueled by a stagnant weather pattern with a low-pressure center that is not moving very fast. This pattern, which occurs about once every five years, is creating a daily recurrence of heavy rain chances in the region.
The Science Behind the Deluge
The extreme rainfall events like the one currently affecting South Texas are becoming more common due to planet-warming pollution. Warmer air holds more moisture, which storms can then wring out like a water-laden sponge in heavy, localized downpours.
The Hill Country is particularly prone to flooding issues because of its steep slopes, shallow soils, and exposed bedrock, which repel heavy rain instead of absorbing it. The abundant Gulf moisture clashing with a stalled front and a pocket of energy in the upper atmosphere is creating slow-moving clusters of storms that can unleash heavy rain.
The Weather Prediction Center has issued its highest risk of flooding rain for two consecutive days, the first time this has happened since. The threat of catastrophic flooding is not expected to ease up until Friday, as storms continue to drop rain at a rate of 2 to 4 inches per hour.