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Flash flood wave hits
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed at least two deaths in a flash-flooding emergency in Texas Hill Country, where one man was swept away in an RV and another victim was swept away in floodwaters.
The ABC News report said the Guadalupe River at Hunt rose from 9 to 19 feet between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. CT, and that just before 6 a.m. the gauge measured 37 feet at Hunt with more rise possible.
ABC News also said the National Weather Service issued another flash flood emergency later Thursday morning along the Pedernales River, with the gauge at Fredericksburg rising to more than 31 feet and counting.
In Kerrville, the Austin American-Statesman said the NWS described a “large and deadly flood wave” moving downstream as slow-moving thunderstorms dumped several inches of rain across the region overnight.
The Austin American-Statesman reported that the NWS issued the emergency for portions of Kerr and Kendall counties, including Kerrville, Center Point and Comfort, after the Guadalupe River sent the flood wave downstream.
Sirens and rescues
CNN reported that a Texas-based company installed 105 flood-warning towers along the Guadalupe River ahead of the most recent flooding event in the Kerr County area, and that the system used water sensors, high-intensity lights, and sirens.
CNN quoted River Sentry CEO and founder Ian Cunningham saying, “Flood danger, flood danger, run to higher ground,” and added that “the same circumstances that occurred last year occurred again this morning but this time, our towers intervened and woke people and got them out of the way.”
CNN also said Cunningham added that three of the towers were swept away by floodwaters but were recovered and would be repaired, while the company looked to expand and add more towers in flood-prone areas.
KXAN Austin reported that the Texas Military Department was moving patients by helicopter from Uvalde to San Antonio, with Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer saying the operation was underway.
KXAN Austin also quoted Chief Nim Kidd of the Texas Division of Emergency Management saying, “We know we have communities in the Uvalde area that are cut off right now,” as the flash flood emergency continued.
What comes next
Officials warned that flooding risk could persist even as water levels recede, with ABC News saying authorities anticipated there could be a second wave later Thursday and that it would not be anywhere near the level seen in the morning.
“2 dead in Texas Hill Country flash flood emergency, governor says Texas Hill Country is often referred to as "Flash Flood Alley”
ABC News reported that the flood watch across Texas Hill Country remains in effect through Thursday, with the same area facing a level 4 of 4 risk for flash flooding on Thursday and heaviest rain expected between 2 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The Austin American-Statesman said the Lower Colorado River Authority planned to open additional floodgates Thursday night at Wirtz Dam on Lake LBJ and Starcke Dam on Lake Marble Falls as storm runoff continued moving through the Highland Lakes.
KXAN Austin reported that the LCRA said floodgate operations were underway at Starcke and Wirtz Dams and that the agency planned to open additional floodgates later this evening, warning that flows below the dams would be higher and faster than usual.
As the response continued, KXAN Austin said Gov. Abbott told reporters, “Protecting life remains our top priority as we work our way through extraordinary and, in many ways, record-breaking rain,” while teams made more than 230 rescues across the state.
