Texas flash flooding prompts water rescues and road closures near Uvalde
High-water rescues, road closures, and shelter operations were reported across parts of South-Central Texas on July 14, 2026, after heavy rain produced flash flooding west of San Antonio. Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 59 counties, and the National Weather Service (NWS) warned that dangerous flash-flood conditions would continue across affected areas through the end of the week.
Image credit: City of Kerrville - Police Department
More than 356 mm (14 inches) of rain was reported in Sabinal, Texas, on July 14, as flash flooding made U.S. 90 and U.S. 83 impassable in parts of South-Central Texas. The storms washed out highways, stranded motorists, and prompted dozens of high-water rescues across South Texas, including at least two dozen in Uvalde, about 130 km (80 miles) west of San Antonio.
Officials opened shelter space for displaced residents in Uvalde and Sabinal as floodwater disrupted travel across the area. While no deaths or injuries were immediately reported Tuesday, officials reported 24 water rescues in Uvalde and four high-water rescues in Medina County, where more than 36 roads were closed.
Bandera County had more than 20 road closures, with the Medina River out of its banks in some areas and voluntary evacuations completed at low-lying RV parks. In Kerr County, officials reported localized flooding and road closures but no major damage or rescues, while Kendall and Comal counties reported road closures linked to rising water.
At least 12 road closures were reported on the Bexar Flood map in the San Antonio area, with high water affecting traffic on the I-35 frontage road at Salado Creek. Storm-related CPS Energy outages affected 1 916 customers across 21 locations early on July 14.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management directed Texans affected by rain or flooding to report property damage through the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool.
Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 59 Texas counties and directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to continue 24-hour operations at the Texas State Emergency Operations Center at Level II / Escalated Response. The Governor’s Office said additional counties could be added to the declaration as conditions warrant.
“The protection of Texans is my top priority,” Abbott said. “As severe storms and the threat of dangerous flash flooding continue across the state, this disaster declaration ensures we can rapidly deploy state resources to support local communities.”
The NWS said heavy rainfall across Southwest, Central, and Southeast Texas was forecast through the end of the week, with repeated rainfall rounds over the same communities expected to create dangerous conditions.
Meteorologists at the NWS Austin/San Antonio forecast additional rainfall of 254 to 508 mm (10 to 20 inches) in the highest-risk areas, broader totals of 51 to 152 mm (2 to 6 inches), and rain rates of 76 to 102 mm/h (3 to 4 inches/h) in the strongest storms.
“Texans are encouraged to continue monitoring local weather forecast information and have emergency supplies readily available,” Abbott said.
References:
1 Governor Abbott Issues Disaster Declaration For Texas Severe Weather – Office of the Texas Governor – July 14, 2026
2 Texas is drenched by heavy rains as forecasters warn that more storms could bring dangerous floods – AP – July 15, 2026
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