...Flash Flood Watch Extended Through 7 pm Friday...
Area of Concern:
Along and west of Interstate 35, including Austin and San Antonio. The greatest threat is for the Hill Country and Edwards Plateau.
Threats & Impacts:
Rainfall: Additional rainfall of 1 to 2 inches through Saturday morning for locations along and west of Interstate 35. A few spots may receive up to 5 inches of rain. For locations in the counties east of Interstate 35, expect 3/4 to 1 inch of rain.
Impacts: This flood event is different than typical for our area, as the rainfall has been spread out over days and a not as intense that we usually see. The result of this is minor to moderate flooding on smaller creeks and rivers, but the downstream confluence of these into larger rivers such as the Colorado, produces near-record lake levels and floods.
Safety Message: Anyone living along a creek or river needs to pay close attention to weather and river forecasts through the middle of next week. Plan now to take quick action if additional rain produces a new or higher flood wave along your creek or river. Travel plans for Friday into Saturday morning should carefully consider alternative routes in case roads become flooded. Above all, never drive where water covers the road: TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN.
Emergency managers and first responders are already working hard on this event to save lives, don't add to their workload or risk their lives by having to rescue you from driving in flood waters.
Timing and Overview:
An upper level trough and continued moist Gulf air flow into the area will generate increasing coverage and intensity of rain across the area. Tonight will generally bring light to moderate showers, but Friday will have moderate to heavy rain from late morning through early evening. The rain should taper off Saturday morning as the upper trough moves east.
Confidence:
Rainfall: HighAdditional flash and river flooding: Moderate to High