Torrential rains paralyze South Texas, leaving vehicles abandoned and prompting water rescues

In an unprecedented deluge, South Texas’ Rio Grande Valley found itself submerged after more than half a year’s worth of rain fell within 48 hours, causing widespread flooding, stranding vehicles, and forcing emergency water rescues.

Intense thunderstorms, combined with persistent heavy rainfall since Wednesday, inundated the region with over a foot of rain. This severe weather event triggered multiple flash flood emergencies across Hidalgo and Cameron counties—two areas along the US-Mexico border that bore the brunt of the storm’s wrath.

The National Weather Service issued four flash flood emergencies—the most severe type of flood warning—late Thursday night into early Friday morning, warning of life-threatening conditions. As roads turned into rivers, abandoned vehicles littered major thoroughfares, particularly in the city of Alamo, where emergency responders carried out at least 50 water rescues.

Alamo Fire Chief RC Flores detailed one particularly dire rescue attempt in which an emergency vehicle was unable to reach a pregnant woman in labor near a Walmart. Ultimately, a fire truck managed to navigate the treacherous floodwaters and get her to safety.

Neighboring Cameron County also saw numerous rescues as officials urged residents to seek higher ground. South Texas Health System’s hospital in McAllen reported minor flooding on its first floor due to overwhelmed stormwater drains. A dramatic video circulating on social media captured the moment floodwaters burst through a hospital wall, sending ankle-deep water rushing through a corridor. The facility briefly diverted ambulance and walk-in patients to nearby hospitals but resumed visitor access by Friday, with some areas still restricted due to damage.

Portions of Interstate 2 in Hidalgo County remained underwater early Friday, with abandoned vehicles strewn across the roadway. The rainfall totals were staggering—Harlingen recorded 14 inches of rain, equivalent to more than six months' worth of precipitation in just two days. Similarly, Port Isabel received 13 inches in the same time frame.

Some of the storms turned severe, unleashing damaging winds and even producing a brief tornado in Hidalgo County on Thursday afternoon. Though the rain was expected to subside by Friday afternoon, flood risks were far from over. Experts warned that swollen rivers could breach their banks in the coming days as floodwaters drained into regional waterways.

Authorities continue to emphasize the dangers of driving through flooded roads, reminding the public that “most flood deaths occur in vehicles.” The National Weather Service further cautioned, “Stay away or be swept away,” noting that riverbanks and culverts could become dangerously unstable.

As South Texas begins its recovery, residents are bracing for continued flood risks and assessing the extensive damage left in the storm’s wake. The next few days will be critical as officials monitor water levels and work to restore normalcy to the region.