South Texas Flooded by Heavy Rains, Devastating Tornado Hits San Antonio

The southern part of Texas is currently experiencing severe flooding due to prolonged heavy rainfall in recent days, causing widespread disruptions and forcing authorities to take measures to protect the public.

The situation worsened on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, as a tornado touched down in the northwestern part of San Antonio near Interstate 10, spawning multiple videos of destruction on social media.

The National Weather Service issued warnings of potentially life-threatening flash flooding across parts of South Texas, including areas west of San Antonio and north of Route 90, which is experiencing the highest level of concern for potentially dangerous flooding.

The storms, fueled by tropical moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and some from the Pacific Ocean, have deposited anywhere from 10 to 20 inches of rain on some areas before moving out, according to forecasts.

Uvalde County witnessed some of the highest rainfall totals so far, with officials reporting 25 rescues as of 9 a.m. Wednesday and further assistance required as river levels continue to rise.

'The rivers and creeks are going to be coming up, and they're going to be coming up again with a vengeance,' said State Rep. Don McLaughlin as he emphasized that 'despite a little lull,' rain isn't done yet.

Residents have been forced to seek shelter, while rescue teams worked tirelessly to evacuate residents trapped in flooded areas, underscoring concerns over the rapidly worsening river conditions.

'This is called a typical mid-summer tropical weather pattern that happens in Texas,' explained Weather Service meteorologist Monte Oaks. 'About once every five years, we'll get socked in with a daily recurrence of heavy rain chances that's generally produced by a stagnant kind of a pattern with a low-pressure center that's just not moving very fast.'

Notably, Kerr County officials have been in close communication with summer camps and retreat centers in anticipation of potential flood threats to these areas, which witnessed catastrophic flooding along the Guadalupe River last year.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared multiple disaster declarations for dozens of affected counties amidst the ongoing severe weather event.

Local authorities have also documented multiple high-water rescues, including one by a Texas Game Warden Search and Rescue Team, highlighting the magnitude of the challenge confronting emergency responders.

'This is a typical mid-summer weather pattern that we see in Texas,' added Oaks, emphasizing the potential for multiple days of heavy rain with a stagnant weather pattern contributing to the situation.

As emergency services scramble to mitigate the effects of the devastating flooding, there have been no reported deaths or injuries from the tornado, although residents continue to grapple with the aftermath of this destructive storm.