Austin Region Flash Flood Watch Extended Until Monday

AUSTIN, TEXAS — A flash flood watch for a sizable part of south Central Texas has been extended until Monday morning, officials said.

Rain fell on the region all day on Sunday to cap a wet-filled weekend. The flash flood watch issued early Sunday afternoon by the National Weather Service that now has been pushed until 9 a.m. Monday includes Travis and Williamson counties along with Bastrop, Blanco, Caldwell and Hays.

Those counties received substantial amounts of rain on Sunday even as other areas — including DeWitt, Fayette, Gonzales, Lavaca and Karnes counties — were removed from the initially issued flash flood watch after negligible rainfall in those areas. As of midnight on Sunday, according to the Lower Colorado River Authority, many affected regions received between two to four inches of rainfall.

A flash flood watch is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for flash flooding in flood-prone grounds that are already saturated from recent rains, or when upcoming rainfall creates the potential to create flash flooding.

As it happens, more rain is expected in the region on Monday. According to NWS meteorologists, there is a 40 percent chance of rainfall to start the workweek. Another half-inch of rain is expected in the area on Monday, but some areas could get up to five inches of water, the weather service said.

Graphic via National Weather Service

"Use extra caution outside today and if you are driving and encounter flooded roadways," NWS forecasters urged motorists in their Sunday advisories. "Turn around, don't drown." The pithy advice was echoed by area law enforcement agencies and EMS officials in their Sunday advisories related to the weather.

More than just a slogan, the "turn around, don't drown" mantra is potentially life-saving advice that should be heeded when encountering low-water crossings. Every year, motorists coming across high water on the roadway proceed to cross thinking the street is passable. But the depths and force of storm runoff can be deceptive, and some motorists often misjudge the dangers — at times with tragic results.

According to the website ATXfloods.com, 44 low-water crossings were closed as of late Sunday. Drivers are urged to check the website before heading out to know in advance what crossings are impassable.

Throughout the day on Sunday, many neighborhoods were affected by power outages as storms swept through the region.

A flash flood watch also was extended into 9 a.m. on Monday in neighboring San Antonio.

Those hoping for an end of the rain on Monday will have their spirits dampened. The NWS has forecast rain with various degrees of probability through next weekend. Below is the day-to-day breakdown of what to expect this week in the Austin area, via the National Weather Service.

• Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 83. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. East northeast wind around 5 mph.
• Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. East wind around 5 mph.
• Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. East northeast wind around 5 mph. Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. East southeast wind around 5 mph.
• Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. East wind between 5 and 10 mph. Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
• Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
• Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90. Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.

So you might want to keep the umbrella in the car, as you might need it throughout the week. But don't leave it in the car after reaching your destination, but take it along with you. Many people leave the umbrella in the car, only to watch helplessly from their office confines or out the window at the grocery store, unable or unwilling to leave the place until the rain ebbs.

But this dilemma is a relatively minor matter. The most important bit of advice to heed, particularly in times of flash flood watches: Turn Around, Don't Drown.

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