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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists warned of major flooding along the Trinity River in Texas as a life-threatening storm hit the Lonestar State on Thursday.
Texas has recently been struck by a wave of severe weather, including a deluge of rain that prompted a surge of flood warnings. In Houston, the city received up to 6 inches of rain in the first week of May, more than an inch above the area's average rainfall for the month. More rain is expected to fall on Thursday, accompanied by severe thunderstorms forecast to hit eastern Texas throughout the day.
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The flooding conditions prompted the NWS to issue a high-risk alert for flash floods.
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"Life-threatening flash flooding is expected in parts of eastern TX and LA today and tonight as another wave of heavy rain impacts the region," the NWS Weather Prediction Center warned on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday. "There is a HIGH risk of excessive rainfall in effect for this area. NEVER walk or drive into flood waters. Turn around, don't drown!"
In the alert graphic shared with the post, the NWS said that heavy rain over the past few weeks has saturated soil in the Gulf Coast states, leading to an increased risk of floods as more rain arrives.
"Another wave of heavy rain is forecast to impact the region today and tonight, which will likely cause life-threatening flash flooding from eastern Texas into western and central Louisiana," the alert said.
Heavy rain has caused the Trinity River to surpass its flood-stage level at several locations, prompting multiple NWS offices in Texas to issue warnings of major flooding. In most places, either minor or moderate flooding had already occurred with major flooding forecasted.
"Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles," the warning said. "Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas."
NWS meteorologist Tim Cady told Newsweek meteorologists are most concerned about flash flooding potential. He said rain will continue on Thursday night and into Friday, but weather should clear up by next week.
A slew of flood advisories, flood watches, flood warnings and flash flood warnings were issued across the state on Thursday.
According to AccuWeather meteorologist Geoff Cornish, the Trinity River in Liberty, Texas, has already been in major flood stage for several weeks. Jonathan Erdman, a meteorologist for the Weather Channel, also shared his concerns about the flood on X.
"The Trinity River at Liberty, TX has been in major #flood stage for virtually the entire month of May, so far. It's forecast to rise another 1 to 1.5 feet by early next week," Erdman posted on Thursday. "I wonder when it will finally drop below flood stage. June?"
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