Austin Area Under Flash Flood Warning

AUSTIN, TX — The Austin area was placed under a flash flood warning on Sunday night after a powerful storm swept over the region.

The National Weather Service warning, which includes neighboring San Antonio, was initially in effect until 10:45 p.m. About an hour before, forecasters extended the warning to 12:15 a.m.

Just after 7:30 p.m., thunderstorms dumped between two to three inches of rain on the region, triggering flash flooding conditions. Weather officials labeled the impact as "life-threatening flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses."

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include: Austin; Austin Bergstrom International Airport; Tanglewood Forest; West Lake Hills; Rollingwood; Mustang Ridge; Onion Creek; Hornsby Bend; Sunset Valley; San Leanna; Creedmoor; McKinney Falls State Park; Del Valle; Pilot Knob; and Camp Mabry.

The flash flood warning also covers the following streams and drainages: Waller Creek; Hancock Creek; Onion Creek; Dry Creek; North Fork Dry Creek; Shoal Creek; Williamson Creek; Maha Creek; Barton Creek; Colorado River; Carson Creek; Gilleland Creek; Marble Creek; Rinard Creek; Little Bee Creek; Walnut Creek; Slaughter Creek; East Bouldin Creek; Country Club Creek; Boggy Creek; Tannehill Branch; and Decker Creek.

Austin Energy urges utility customers to check its outage map for updates. To report an outage, residents should call (512) 322-9100.

Recommended actions

'Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads," weather officials wrote. "Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small
creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other drainage areas and low lying spots."

Motorists are highly urged to avoid areas of high water. The website ATXfloods.com should be consulted for a list of low-water crossings that are closed to traffic.

From earlier:

AUSTIN, TX — The Austin area on Sunday was placed under a severe thunderstorm warning as the area braces for heavy rain that could bring quarter-sized hail.

The area under the warning is central and south central Texas, according to the National Weather Service. Just before 6 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located over Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, moving north at 20 miles per hour. Winds could reach up to 50 miles per hour at the height of the storm, officials warned.

In issuing the warning, forecasters said damage to vehicles is expected. The locations impacted by the storm formation are: Austin; Round Rock; Cedar Park; Pflugerville; Austin Bergstrom International Airport; Windemere; Tanglewood Forest; Manor; West Lake Hills; Rollingwood; Mustang Ridge; Onion Creek; Barton Creek; Hornsby Bend; Manchaca; Sunset Valley; San Leanna; Creedmoor; Wells Branch; and McKinney Falls State Park.

National Weather Service graphic.

"For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building," forecasters wrote. "Prepare immediately for large hail and deadly cloud to ground lightning. Seek shelter inside a well-built structure. Stay away from windows."

Weather officials added: "Large hail, damaging winds, and continuous cloud to ground lightning are occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning."

Motorists are highly urged to avoid areas of high water. The website ATXfloods.com should be consulted for a list of low-water crossings that are closed to traffic.