Disastrous flash flooding has hit southern Texas after days of torrential rain, leaving at least two people dead and prompting hundreds of rescues across the same region struck by last July’s catastrophic floods.
The flood threat shifted northwest on Friday, with intense rainfall from slow-moving storms triggering flash flood emergencies — the highest level of flood warning — in parts of Sutton and Crockett counties.
Multiple boat rescues were reported Friday morning in southwest areas of Ozona, Texas, according to Crockett County Fire & EMS. Floodwater entered homes, an RV park and apartments in the southern part of the town, county Emergency Management Coordinator Eddie Martin said at a news conference Friday afternoon. In total, 51 people were evacuated from the impacted area, according to Martin.
Water rescues were also reported Friday morning in Sutton County, with a voluntary evacuation in place for the city of Sonora, according to Sutton County Emergency Management. Images on social media show floodwater has completely covered numerous roads and parts of highways in both Sutton and Crockett counties.
Communities in the Hill Country to the south were hardest hit throughout this week. Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday issued a major disaster declaration for 28 counties in the region to request federal resources.
