The National Weather Service issued its most serious flood warning — called a Flash Flood Emergency — for parts of Kerr County and Uvalde County, Texas, on July 16, 2026. Up to 20 inches of rain had fallen in the Uvalde area over two days, and the Guadalupe River at Comfort rose more than 30 feet in just hours overnight. The weather service told residents to "SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!" The Guardian.

A Flash Flood Emergency is the most urgent flood alert the National Weather Service can issue. It means flooding is happening right now and poses a serious, immediate threat to people's lives. The warning described "life threatening flash flooding of low water crossings, small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses." All or parts of 14 counties were under flash flood warnings Texas Tribune. The bulletin specifically named the "Uvalde and Knippa area," with Knippa being a small community in Uvalde County NWS EWX.

People in Kerrville and Uvalde were told to stay where they were and not try to travel. The Uvalde County Office of Emergency Management posted on social media: "All major highways and many city streets are CLOSED due to flooding and water over the roadway" The Guardian.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott had declared a disaster on July 14, before the worst rain even arrived. He said: "Our primary focus right now and throughout the remainder of this torrential rain is saving lives" The Guardian. The heaviest rain came overnight on July 15 into July 16. About 11 inches fell northwest of Kerr County since 10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15 KXAN.

Rainfall amounts varied a lot across the area. Three to 12 inches fell across parts of Bandera, Kerr, and Real counties. The weather service gave its highest flooding risk level — Level 4 of 4 — to areas along U.S. 90 west of San Antonio, including the southern Edwards Plateau, Rio Grande, and western Hill Country. The forecast warned of "considerable to locally catastrophic flash flooding impacts" there. Another 10 to 15 inches of rain was possible in some spots through Thursday evening. Across the wider flood watch area, 2 to 6 more inches were expected NWS EWX. The weather service also warned that floodwaters can hide dangers like displaced animals, stinging insects, live wires, harmful bacteria, toxic chemicals, raw sewage, and sharp debris.

This flood comes about one year after the July 2025 Texas Hill Country floods that killed more than 100 people, including 25 girls and 2 counselors at Camp Mystic on the Guadalupe River The Guardian. The ground in this region is largely limestone, which lets water move through it quickly. The narrow valleys also funnel water downstream fast. That combination means the time between heavy rain and a river overflowing can be very short. A 30-foot overnight rise at Comfort shows how little warning time people may have.

The broader context here raises real concerns. Catastrophic flooding has now struck the same area in the same month two years in a row, under similar weather conditions. That pattern raises questions about whether the region's flood warning systems and floodplain management are good enough. The flood watch stayed in effect through Thursday evening, July 16. With more rain forecast and the ground already soaked, even moderate additional rainfall could trigger new flash flooding. For residents and emergency officials, the biggest worry is that each new wave of rain falls on ground and rivers that are already full.