A deadly new round of catastrophic flooding unfolded across Texas Hill Country, where Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed Thursday that at least two people died as rescue crews raced to save people trapped by rapidly rising floodwaters.

"Our number one focus is saving lives," Abbott said as helicopters and drones searched flooded communities that are still recovering from last year's devastating floods.

Another 8 inches of rain could fall across the region Friday, so they're not out of danger yet, with some rivers expected to reach historic levels.

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The water began rising before dawn Thursday, and so did the rescues as first responders pulled stranded drivers from vehicles and saved people trapped inside homes.

The National Weather Service issued multiple Flash Flood Emergencies and warned that a "large and deadly flood wave" was moving down rivers across the Hill Country, urging anyone near the water to move to higher ground immediately.

The state's response ramped up quickly as the flooding worsened throughout the day.

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The governor said more than 2,000 first responders had been deployed and some evacuations began before the worst of the flooding.

Victims were swept away

Gov. Abbott also said one of the victims was driving on a flooded road and was swept away near Uvalde while the other died in Kerr County.

Jennie Steward said the body of her husband, 65-year-old John Mark Steward, of Kerrville, was found Thursday.

She was visiting her parents when a neighbor called overnight, saying her husband was missing after water had risen to the door of their mobile home, which stood off the ground.

The entire home was swept off the platform and floated down Goat Creek on the Guadalupe, she said.

“It’s really hard that I wasn’t there with him,” she said. The two last spoke by phone Wednesday to celebrate their third anniversary

An all-too-familiar disaster

The latest flooding comes almost exactly one year after the catastrophic Texas Hill Country floods that killed more than 100 people, including children and counselors at Camp Mystic.

This time, another 10 to 20 inches of rain has fallen across parts of the region in just two days, with some locations picking up 8 inches in only two hours early Thursday.

Unlike last year's disaster, when many victims were swept away in the darkness, crews this time were reportedly scanning trees from the air, searching for anyone who may have climbed to higher ground to escape the rushing water.

Local officials activated newly installed flood warning sirens Thursday morning, and rescue helicopters were in the air before sunrise as floodwaters rapidly overtook communities.

The faster, more coordinated response underscores how emergency agencies have adapted after one of the deadliest flood disasters in Texas history.

Uvalde cut off as rescues continue

Floodwaters also overwhelmed Uvalde, leaving parts of the city isolated.

"There's no way into the city at this point in time," Uvalde police spokesperson Juli Alvarado told the Associated Press Thursday morning.

Texas Game Wardens rescued close to 150 people by the afternoon, according to a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department spokesperson. Video released by the agency showed crews hoisting children from a house surrounded with water into a helicopter.

Meanwhile, authorities are pleading with people to stay off flooded roads. The Uvalde County Sheriff's Office issued a blunt message Thursday morning:

"STOP DISOBEYING BARRICADES."

Wildlife rescue flooded for the second year in a row

The flooding is also delivering another heartbreaking blow to Buck Wild Animal Rescue and Wildlife Rehab in Ingram.

"We are losing everything for a second time after just having rebuilt from the catastrophic flooding a year ago," said volunteer Kim Caswell.

Owner Katie Buck remained at the rescue alone after floodwaters cut off roads between Kerrville and Ingram.

In an emotional video filmed as rain poured down around her, Buck said nearly every enclosure had been destroyed.

Despite the devastation, she said every animal was safely moved to higher ground.

As rivers continue to rise communities downstream may still see dangerous flood waves arrive throughout the day.

Officials continue urging anyone near rivers or creeks to leave immediately if told to evacuate.