Texas was inundated by rounds of thunderstorms last week, causing historic flooding in the Texas Hill Country and killing two people — a year after the deadly floods that killed more than 130 people.
The deadly July 4, 2025, floods that devastated Texas, including the tragedy at Camp Mystic, hit Kerr County especially hard, prompting County Judge Rob Kelly to describe the event as “déjà vu all over again.”
“Here we are a year later, but under incredibly different circumstances. There’s devastation nonetheless, but very different circumstances,” Kelly said at a news conference on July 20.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott was also at the news conference, where he said the state was ready this time around and had learned from last year’s deadly lesson after installing flood warning systems.
Abbott toured the areas impacted by the floodwaters and said he saw various levels of destruction, but nothing like that from the July 4, 2025, floods.
“We also saw signs of people and communities that were already under the process of rebuilding,” Abbott said.
But the threat of the floods is still not over. Abbott said the biggest concerns for state and local officials is the Nueces River and the floodwaters making their way downstream.
Abbott also said evacuations are still underway in Uvalde.
“Just because the skies may be clear here right now, doesn’t mean that the aggregation of water that’s flowing downstream has peaked,” Abbott said. “Downstream, the waters will continue to rise and continue to pose dangers for those local communities.”
How bad is the 2026 Texas flood damage?
Abbott said he was told by officials that almost all rivers in this region hit record highs during the flood event and that the flooding in Kerrville, Texas, this year was worse than last year.
“Altogether, the state has rescued more than 530 people,” Abbott said.
Kerr, Kendall and Comal counties were hit the hardest during this year’s flooding event, Abbott said, with each experiencing the following damage:
- Kerr County — 490 damaged homes, including 135 heavily damaged or destroyed. About 100 businesses were also damaged.
- Kendall County — About 100 damaged homes, with the count expected to rise once Boerne completes its assessment.
- Comal County — Three damaged homes, though Abbott said the count may rise.
On July 17, Abbott also issued a major disaster declaration for 28 counties requesting federal assistance.
As of July 20, two deaths have been reported.
How can I help Texas flood victims?
The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has set up a flood relief fund — separate from the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund established following the July 2025 disaster.
Funds will help support nonprofit and civic organizations actively involved in response, relief and recovery efforts.
Rebuild Texas Fund has also been set up by the OneStar Foundation to help those affected, with 100% of donations reaching local organizations that provide essential recovery services, long-term rebuilding operations and infrastructure repair in Texas communities.
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