AUSTIN, Texas — Texas is expanding its response to severe flooding as state leaders warn another round of heavy rain could bring more dangerous conditions to parts of Central and South Texas.

During a Thursday briefing at the State Operations Center, Gov. Greg Abbott said protecting lives remains the state’s top priority as life-threatening flooding continues.

“Once again, life-threatening catastrophic flooding remains our main risk tonight and overnight through the early morning hours,” Abbott said.

Abbott said 59 counties remain under a flood watch, with Uvalde and Johnson City among the communities facing the greatest risk over the next 24 hours. He also warned that record river levels are expected in several locations, including along the Nueces River near Uvalde.

The state has expanded its emergency response since Wednesday, with about 2,350 emergency responders now deployed along with more than 1,400 vehicles and pieces of equipment, including more than 85 boats, 21 aircraft, and more than 200 high-profile vehicles.

Abbott said those crews have completed more than 230 water rescues.

RELATED| Two deaths reported in Texas Hill Country floods, Abbott confirms

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Chief Nim Kidd, who leads the Texas Division of Emergency Management, said National Weather Service meteorologists are forecasting more rain over already saturated areas.

“Meteorologists from the National Weather Service tell us an additional 10 to 15 inches of rain is possible over already wet areas,” Kidd said.

Kidd said some communities in the Uvalde area remain cut off because of flooding. The state has half a million meals ready to eat and one million bottles of water prepared for delivery by high-profile vehicles or military aircraft.

The Texas Department of Transportation said 125 roadway sections across the state had been impacted by floodwaters as of Thursday afternoon, with 87 remaining closed. Officials warned that even after floodwaters recede, roads and bridges may still be unsafe because of hidden damage.

Abbott also confirmed two flood-related deaths. One victim was a man who was swept away in an RV near Comfort. The second was a 75-year-old man who was swept away while driving in Uvalde.

During the briefing, CBS Austin asked the governor when the state’s focus would begin shifting from rescue operations to recovery.

“The most important thing we can do right now during the immediacy of all the rain coming down is doing everything we can to protect human life,” Abbott said. “But that said people can begin the process maybe as early as tomorrow to go through damage assessment.”

Abbott urged Texans to continue avoiding flooded roadways as the threat continues.

“Together, all of us Texans can be diligent over the next 24 hours to make sure we avoid rising water or heading into water on roadways,” he said.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — More dangerous Texas floods expected after at least 2 killed and hundreds of people rescued in high water, governor says.

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KERRVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — The City of Kerrville issued a shelter-in-place Thursday morning, with heavy rain causing reported evacuations early Thursday morning. A Flash Flood Warning is currently in place for Kerr County as the Guadalupe River continues to rise.

Around 5:30 a.m., the National Weather Service said a “large and deadly flood wave is moving down” the Guadalupe River.

KXAN First Warning Weather Meteorologist Kristen Currie said approximately 11 inches of rain have fallen northwest of Kerr County since 10 p.m. on Wednesday. The Guadalupe River is expected to reach major flood stage in multiple areas.

Kerr County PIO Lisa Walter said “there have been multiple swift water rescues and evacuations.” Officials emphasized not to drive through flooded streets and to turn around if water covers the roadway.

Evacuations were underway in multiple areas, according to the county, including:

• Goat Creek
• Arcadia Loop
• Lowery/Guadalupe area
• Junction Highway low-water crossings
• Other low-lying neighborhoods

Emergency shelters are open at Impact Church (Goat Creek evacuation point), Calvary Temple Church and City West Church for people in West Kerr County, the county said.

Here are the latest headlines:

Live updates

7:03 a.m.: KXAN’s Kevin Baskar is in Gillespie County providing updates on the latest flood conditions in the area. Watch his update below.

6:37 a.m.: Kerr County officials emphasized not to drive through flooded streets and to turn around if water covers the roadway.

Evacuations were underway in multiple areas, according to the county, including:

• Goat Creek
• Arcadia Loop
• Lowery/Guadalupe area
• Junction Highway low-water crossings
• Other low-lying neighborhoods

Emergency shelters are open at Impact Church (Goat Creek evacuation point), Calvary Temple Church and City West Church for people in West Kerr County, the county said.

6:27 a.m.: Video shows emergency crews hauling boats and rescue equipment through Kerrville.

6:15 a.m. NewsNation correspondent Xavier Walton and his photographer captured a structure being swept up in river water and crashing into a Kerrville bridge. The structure appears to be some sort of shipping container, pushing against the bridge.

Watch the video below:

6:08 a.m.: Kerr County PIO Lisa Walter confirms “there have been multiple swift water rescues and evacuations.”

6:02 a.m.: The Guadalupe River at Center Point is expected to crest at 35 feet, which is the same crest as July 4, 2025.

5:57 a.m.: The National Weather Service said “a large deadly flood wave” is moving down the Guadalupe River.

5:49 a.m.: The Comfort Volunteer Fire Department said it has units in Kerrville and Centerpoint alerting people along the Guadalupe River. They’re helping Kerr County with evacuations along Highway 27 between Comfort and Centerpoint. They said all VFD personnel are OK.

5:30 a.m.: The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that it’s received reports of “street flooding in Ingram, and it’s likely many roads and city streets are flooded as well.”