Widening evacuation warnings and high-water rescues in Texas mounted Wednesday under relentlessly heavy storms that turned roads into rivers, washed away vehicles and spun up a tornado across a busy interstate in San Antonio.

Flooding in Uvalde County

Texas Game Wardens have participated in rescues of more than 40 people so far in the flooding, mostly in the Uvalde County area. The Uvalde Police Department said on Facebook that a dam in the northern part of the county was still intact, but the Leona River was still expected to rise another 15 feet.

Frances McNamara and her 10-year-old son, Everett, watched the bloated Leona River in Uvalde sweep southward Wednesday as she considered possible evacuation routes. She pointed to a solid line of dirt, branches and twigs about 8 feet above the river where the water reached the day before.

Evacuations and Rescues

Uvalde police ordered mandatory evacuations for some parts, with first responders notifying people affected directly. Others were asked to stay vigilant in case more evacuations are needed. Bailey Luckman, 26, was getting ready to evacuate with her dog Wednesday afternoon. The floodwaters are close to her house, she said, and authorities recommended that she leave.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has issued disaster declarations for dozens of counties. Authorities posted videos on Tuesday showing a rescue crew in a boat navigating flooded streets and a vehicle being swept away by fast-moving waters.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.