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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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Parts of Central Texas could see more than three times their average monthly rainfall for November in only 24 hours this week as above-average moisture saturates the region, putting millions of people at risk of floods.
National Weather Service (NWS) lead meteorologist Emily Heller told Newsweek that isolated areas could see up to 6 inches of rain, which could cause flooding and flash flooding.
Why It Matters
Several regions of Texas are under Flood Watches as the NWS anticipates heavy rainfall over a short period, potentially bringing more than an entire month’s worth of rain in as little as 24 hours to some cities. The risk of dangerous flash flooding is heightened due to the timing and volume of the rainfall, threatening both urban and rural areas with rapidly rising rivers, creeks, and overwhelmed drainage systems.
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What to Know
NWS offices in Austin/San Antonio and San Angelo issued the flood watches, comprising more than 3.5 million people.
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The watches are in effect for cities such as Austin, San Antonio, Uvalde, Indian Creek, Brady, Fort McKavett, Del Rio, and Llano among others. The storm will bring above-average rainfall. Although average monthly rainfall differs for each city, some areas could see as much as six times their average November amounts.
For example, the climate site at the Del Rio International Airport sees .91 inches of rain during the month of November, on average. It's difficult to determine exactly where the heavier rain will set up with this storm, Heller said, but some areas in Texas could see as much as 6 inches, much above their averages.
The amounts are "concerning," Heller said, as they could exacerbate flooding and flash flooding conditions. Even if the lower end of the forecasted rain totals arrives, between 1 and 3 inches, it will still be more than some of these cities see in all of November.
The flood watches are in effect from Wednesday night through Thursday night, and rain is expected to begin falling on Wednesday night. It will take a few hours before areas begin to see flooding impacts, Heller said.
What People Are Saying
NWS Austin/San Antonio in a flood watch: "Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded."
NWS San Angelo in a flood watch: "An approaching upper level storm system will combine with well above normal moisture to produce several rounds of heavy rainfall Wednesday Night into Thursday and Thursday Night. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches can be expected for areas southeast of a Brownwood to Brady to Menard to Sonora line, with more isolated totals of over 6 inches possible."
What Happens Next
The flood watches are currently in effect and could be upgraded to flood advisories or flash flood warnings if conditions require the more severe alerts. People in Central Texas are urged to follow the advice of local weather officials and are reminded to never drive through flooded roadways, as most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
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