Abbott: Swift Water Rescues Underway as Fresh Flooding Hits Central Texas

Just over a week following one of the most devastating flooding situations in Texas history, another surge of severe weather is poised to bring additional destruction to Central Texas. 

On Sunday, Governor Greg Abbott revealed that rapid water rescues were in progress across several counties, with especially perilous situations developing in Lampasas County. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Abbott announced that teams from Texas Task Force One and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department have been deployed to aid in life-saving operations.

“We are actively observing all counties with an emphasis on preserving lives,” Abbott stated, naming Lampasas, San Saba, Schleicher, Kimble, Menard, and Sutton counties as regions currently experiencing emergencies. Authorities have issued evacuation orders in multiple areas as river levels increase and flash flooding poses a risk to communities that are still in the process of recovering from the July 4 catastrophe, which resulted in a tragic loss of at least 132 lives.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has announced an extension of flood warnings until Sunday night for the Hill Country and specific areas of North and Central Texas. Regions facing urgent danger encompass Kimble, Mason, McCulloch, and Menard counties, where intense rainfall has led to swift river surges and flash flooding. Experts predict that there will be an extra 2 to 4 inches of rain, with certain localized regions possibly experiencing as much as 12 inches.

“A significant threat with the possibility of severe flash flooding is developing late tonight into Sunday,” the NWS cautioned in its weekend outlook. Authorities report that rain could fall at rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour, a significant amount that may lead to rivers overflowing within just a few hours, inundating communities, streets, and essential systems.

Communities situated near the Lampasas River face significant risks. Emergency teams are advising residents against driving through flooded roads and are encouraging them to get ready for possible evacuation orders.

The recent emergency intensifies the strain on state resources, with hundreds still unaccounted for from the previous floods. Abbott highlighted that emergency operations will continue to be in effect throughout all impacted counties for now, stressing that the preservation of life is the foremost concern.

Residents of Texas are advised to remain vigilant, keep an eye on weather updates, and follow guidance from local emergency officials as the situation develops.

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