A deadly new round of catastrophic flooding is unfolding across the Texas Hill Country, where Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed Thursday that at least one person has died as rescue crews race to save people trapped by rapidly rising floodwaters.

"Our number one focus is saving lives," Abbott said as helicopters and drones searched flooded communities that are still recovering from last year's devastating floods.

Since the water began rising before dawn, first responders have been pulling stranded drivers from vehicles and rescuing people trapped inside homes.

Weather in your inbox

Forecast Location

Sign Up

By signing up you agree to the Terms & Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe at any time.

The National Weather Service has issued multiple Flash Flood Emergencies and warned that a "large and deadly flood wave" is moving down rivers across the Hill Country, urging anyone near the water to move to higher ground immediately.

The state's response ramped up quickly as the flooding worsened throughout the day.

More than 1,300 emergency responders have been deployed across the region, along with at least 46 boats and 19 aircraft, helping rescue crews carry out more than 80 water rescues by Thursday afternoon.

An all-too-familiar disaster

The latest flooding comes almost exactly one year after the catastrophic Texas Hill Country floods that killed more than 100 people, including children and counselors at Camp Mystic.

This time, another 10 to 20 inches of rain has fallen across parts of the region in just two days, with some locations picking up 8 inches in only two hours early Thursday.

Unlike last year's disaster, when many victims were swept away in the darkness, crews this time were reportedly scanning trees from the air, searching for anyone who may have climbed to higher ground to escape the rushing water.

Local officials activated newly installed flood warning sirens Thursday morning, and rescue helicopters were in the air before sunrise as floodwaters rapidly overtook communities.

The faster, more coordinated response underscores how emergency agencies have adapted after one of the deadliest flood disasters in Texas history.

Uvalde cut off as rescues continue

Floodwaters also overwhelmed Uvalde overnight, leaving parts of the city isolated.

"There's no way into the city at this point in time," Uvalde police spokesperson Juli Alvarado told the Associated Press Thursday morning.

Texas Game Wardens have already rescued more than 40 people, most of them in Uvalde County, and officials planned to expand operations using helicopters once visibility improved.

Meanwhile, authorities are pleading with people to stay off flooded roads. The Uvalde County Sheriff's Office issued a blunt message Thursday morning:

"STOP DISOBEYING BARRICADES."

Wildlife rescue flooded for the second year in a row

The flooding is also delivering another heartbreaking blow to Buck Wild Animal Rescue and Wildlife Rehab in Ingram.

"We are losing everything for a second time after just having rebuilt from the catastrophic flooding a year ago," said volunteer Kim Caswell.

Owner Katie Buck remained at the rescue alone after floodwaters cut off roads between Kerrville and Ingram.

In an emotional video filmed as rain poured down around her, Buck said nearly every enclosure had been destroyed.

Despite the devastation, she said every animal was safely moved to higher ground.

Forecasters warn the emergency is far from over. Additional heavy rain is expected, rivers continue to rise and communities downstream may still see dangerous flood waves arrive throughout the day.

Officials continue urging anyone near rivers or creeks to leave immediately if told to evacuate.