Texas Hill Country Faces Flooding Challenges Amid Rescue Efforts
WHO:
ABC News - Officials in Texas are involved in implementing changes to flood warning systems.
CBS News - Jason Allen and Eric Fisher are reporting on the situation in Texas Hill Country.
WHAT:
AP News - This year's floods resulted in two confirmed deaths: one person who was driving in Uvalde County and another who was swept away in an RV in Kerr County.
The Texas Tribune - The Guadalupe River rose to 37 feet in Comfort during this year's flooding, slightly higher than the 2025 floods.
The Texas Tribune - Rain gauges in Uvalde, Kerr, Real, and Guadalupe counties measured more than 20 inches of rain since the beginning of the week, with such totals having only a 0.2% chance of occurring in a given year.
AP News - At least two people died during the recent flooding in Texas Hill Country, and hundreds needed rescue.
AP News - The National Weather Service sent 38 alerts to certain southwest Texas communities, including 14 tornado warnings and 24 flood warnings that were life-threatening.
AP News - Three of six new sirens installed in Kerr County were used to warn residents to seek high ground during the flooding.
AP News - Ian Cunningham's company, River Sentry, installed 104 flood sirens along the Guadalupe River, including several near an RV park where over three dozen people died in 2025.
ABC News - Major changes have been implemented to improve flood warnings in Texas Hill Country.
CBS News - Rivers in Texas Hill Country rose significantly after receiving more than two feet of rain.
CBS News - Rescue efforts are ongoing in the region.
WHERE:
ABC News - The events are taking place in Texas Hill Country.
CBS News - The flooding is affecting rivers across Texas Hill Country.
WHEN:
CBS News - The heavy rain that caused the flooding began on a Monday and was winding down by Friday.
WHY:
ABC News - The changes to flood warning systems were implemented after last year's deadly floods in Hill Country.
HOW:
The Texas Tribune - The Upper Guadalupe River Authority has installed six sirens in Kerr County, with two activated during the recent flooding.
The Texas Tribune - Emergency vehicles were deployed to close bridges and put up barricades, which officials stated saved lives during the flooding.
AP News - Newly installed flood sirens and cellphone alerts were credited with improving the response to the flooding, according to state Sen. Paul Bettencourt.
ABC News - The article mentions that officials are testing new warning systems as part of the improvements.
(UPDATED July 18, 2026 22:11 UTC)
This year's devastating floods in Texas have tragically resulted in two confirmed deaths, including one person who was driving in Uvalde County and another who was swept away in an RV in Kerr County. The Guadalupe River rose to 37 feet in Comfort, surpassing the levels seen during the 2025 floods, as rain gauges in Uvalde, Kerr, Real, and Guadalupe counties recorded over 20 inches of rain since the beginning of the week, an event with only a 0.2% chance of occurring in any given year. In response to the crisis, the Upper Guadalupe River Authority activated two of the six sirens installed in Kerr County, while emergency vehicles were deployed to close bridges and set up barricades, actions that officials say helped save lives during the flooding.
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(UPDATED July 18, 2026 16:15 UTC)
At least two people have died in the recent flooding in Texas Hill Country, with hundreds requiring rescue as the National Weather Service issued 38 alerts, including 14 tornado warnings and 24 life-threatening flood warnings. Three of the six new sirens installed in Kerr County were activated to warn residents to seek higher ground, while Ian Cunningham's company, River Sentry, had previously installed 104 flood sirens along the Guadalupe River. State Senator Paul Bettencourt noted that the newly installed flood sirens and cellphone alerts significantly improved the response to this emergency situation.
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(UPDATED July 18, 2026 13:21 UTC)
Officials in Texas are making significant changes to flood warning systems in response to last year's deadly floods in Hill Country. Rivers in the area have risen dramatically after receiving more than two feet of rain, prompting ongoing rescue efforts across the region. As part of these improvements, officials are currently testing new warning systems to better prepare for future weather events.