Catastrophic Flooding Causes Multiple Deaths, Mass Search Texas Hill Country

Central Texas, particularly the Texas Hill Country, is experiencing catastrophic flooding following intense rainfall that caused rapid and deadly surges in the Guadalupe River. The flooding has led to at least six confirmed deaths in Kerr County, with many more people reported missing, including four young individuals with ties to Southeast Texas. Emergency officials are conducting widespread water rescues and search efforts, with multiple agencies from across Texas, including fire departments from Longview and Austin, assisting in response operations. The National Weather Service has issued multiple flash flood emergencies, warning residents to stay indoors and avoid travel due to life-threatening conditions and rapidly rising rivers. Local authorities, including Kerrville's mayor, have declared disasters and urged residents to shelter in place while parks and roads remain closed due to flooding. This event highlights the increasing frequency of extreme weather and flooding incidents in Texas, attributed to the impacts of climate change.