Dozens rescued as nearly 10 inches of rain floods Boerne, Texas

Emergency crews carried out 36 water rescues and moved 53 people to shelters after nearly 10 inches of rain caused severe flash flooding in Boerne, Texas. No deaths have been reported.

The flooding began just before 8 a.m. Wednesday as heavy rain moved across Boerne, near San Antonio, and continued until about 2:45 p.m. Police Chief Steve Perez said the area received between 9 and 10 inches of rain.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood emergency for Boerne, calling the flooding a life-threatening situation and telling residents to move immediately to higher ground. The emergency remained in effect through 8:15 p.m. CDT.

The ground was already saturated after 4 to 6 inches of rain fell two nights earlier, while Cibolo Creek was running high and fast. City officials had placed the emergency operations center on standby after forecasts showed the potential for record rainfall.

Perez said emergency services received more than 109 calls during the flooding, including 36 requests for water rescues.

Most people were reached by regular emergency crews, but three rescues required swift-water teams, according to Assistant Fire Chief Walter Ball. Two were carried out on foot and one required a boat. Everyone was brought to safety and given medical aid if needed.

Emergency crews also evacuated two apartment complexes, with 53 residents taken to local shelters.

Officials warned residents to stay off closed roads as additional rain remain possible. Emergency teams are continuing to monitor the weather and flooding conditions.