A tornado touched down near San Antonio while torrential rains triggered severe flooding across South Texas on Thursday [1, 2].

The extreme weather has created a life-threatening situation for thousands of residents, necessitating mass rescues and urgent evacuations in the Hill Country and surrounding basins [2, 3].

Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) said South Central Texas should expect "life threatening catastrophic floods" [1]. The risk level for the region has reached Level 4 of 4, the highest possible flood risk designation [5].

Emergency crews have been working in Uvalde County, where more than 25 rescues were reported [2]. Other reports indicate that more than 40 people have been rescued from floodwaters across the wider affected region [3].

The storm system has impacted a large swath of the state, including the Nueces River Basin, parts of Austin, and the Texas Hill Country [1, 2, 4]. Meteorologists have projected rainfall as high as 20 inches in some areas [4].

Local authorities have issued flood watches that extend through Saturday, July 18, 2026 [1, 5]. Residents are urged to avoid travel and stay clear of flood-prone roads as the torrential rain continues to batter the region [1, 4].

“South Central Texas should expect "life threatening catastrophic floods"”

The combination of a tornado and record-breaking rainfall underscores the volatility of the current weather pattern in South Texas. With a Level 4 risk designation and projected rainfall of 20 inches, the infrastructure in the Hill Country and Nueces River Basin is facing extreme stress, increasing the likelihood of long-term property damage and displaced populations.