Austin Region Under Flash Flood Warning

AUSTIN, TX — The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning until 1 p.m. in the wake of heavy thunderstorms that descended on the area Friday morning.

A Flash Flood Warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring in the warned area. A flash flood is a sudden, violent flood after a heavy rain. The warning expires at 1:30 p.m., officials said.

Motorists are strongly urged to avoid low water crossings. Many drivers often try to cross such points, thinking their cars can pass safely through raging waters. Often, that decision proves fatal given the deceptively strong nature of running water that is capable of sweeping cars through its torrents.

The website ATXfloods.com lists all of the dangerous low water crossings in the region that are closed due to heavy run-off. Currently, 42 such crossings have been closed to traffic given raging waters present there.

Related story: Strong Thunderstorms Expected In Austin Area On Friday, May 4

Local forecasters are reporting that up to 3 inches of rain have already fallen in parts of western Travis and northern Hays counties after storms broke out this morning. Communities in the area subject to the flash warning include not only Austin but Cedar Park, Round Rock and Pflugerville, according to the NSA. The warning also includes outlying communities including Bee Cave, Buda, Dripping Springs, Kyle, Lago Vista, Lake Hills, Lakeway, Manor, Rollingwood, West Lake Hills and Wimberly.