Austin Region Under Flash Flood Watch

AUSTIN, TX — The National Weather Service on Wednesday issued a flash flood watch for a Central Texas region that includes Travis and Williamson counties, an upgrade of sorts after a previously issued severe thunderstorm warning.

The dual advisories were issued on the heels of a flash flood warning issued last night amid heavy storms that dumped up to three inches of rain in some parts. That warning expired by 10:45 p.m. last night after the brunt of the storm dissipated.

But, clearly, we're not out of the woods yet as it relates to rain. Doppler radar images show a line of severe thunderstorms stretching across a wide swath — from Kerrville north to Kingsland and past Lake Buchanan — that's moving in a northeast direction toward the Hill Country west of Austin.

The upshot: Incoming storms could produce wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour. The force of such winds have the potential to damage roofs and/or sidings in homes and fell trees, weather officials said.

"A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding," meteorologists explained. "Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation."

The previously issued severe thunderstorm warning was set to expire by 1 p.m., according to the National Weather Service bulletin, replaced with a flash flood watch in effect until 7 p.m. on Wednesday.

"A dryline is forecast to push across the Rio Grande Plains and Edwards Plateau area today. Ahead of this feature, isolated thunderstorms with some linear bowing segments could produce locally heavy rain as it moves to the east across the northern portions of the Hill Country and Austin metro area," forecasters wrote. "Rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible with isolated amounts near 3 inches. Localized flash flooding is anticipated over saturated areas due to recent heavy rains."

The National Weather Service already has reported strong winds blowing across the U.S. 290 corridor and parts of Central Gillespie County, which already has been drenched with up to an inch of rain by around 11 a.m. As a result, the flash flood watch continues for a portion of South Central Texas that includes Blanco, Burnet, Gillespie, Hays and Llano counties in addition to Travis and Williamson.

Meteorologists said the forecast rain on Wednesday could pose a particular threat to those living

in proximity of creeks and streams: "The cumulative heavy rainfall totals will not only present an

immediate localized flash flood threat for poor drainage areas, but also increase flows and water levels of some larger creeks and streams," officials wrote.

Austin-Travis County EMS medics are at the ready, securing life-saving tools ahead of potential water rescues. As of 10 a.m., medics had activated a boat squad comprising a squad Leader, 2 boats, 2 swift water boat operators and 2 bowmen/rescuers in the event motorists get stuck in high water. "These resources are in addition to on duty rescue assets & are planned to be available until 17:00 [5 p.m.] or as necessary to respond to any water rescues," medics said on their Twitter page.

The tools were secured after medics tallied about 20 water rescues that took place during last week's heavy rains, including one instance when medics plucked stranded motorists clinging on to trees as water runoff raged beneath. On Wednesday afternoon, medics hoping for a water rescue as they searched for a man reportedly swept up by flood waters instead assisted in recovering a dead body found at Lady Bird Lake. The unidentified victim was described only as a man in his 50s.

On Monday, the Austin Police Department released dramatic body cam footage of one such rescue involving three car passengers and a dog — all of whom were ultimately rescued moments before the vehicle in which they had been trapped was swept away by flood waters. The gripping video dramatically illustrates the perils of driving over high water in times of heavy rainfall.

Related stories:

Flooding Victim Found Dead At Lady Bird Lake: Austin EMS

Thousands Without Power In Austin Area Amid Storms

Barton Creek Flood Warning Issued As Water Levels Rise

Barton Creek Greenbelt Closed Again After More Rain

WATCH: Austin Police Body Cam Shows Dramatic Water Rescue

Travis, Williamson Counties Under Flash Flood Warning

Like medics, Lower Colorado River Authorityofficials also took precautions ahead of the rainfall. On their website, LCRA officials said they partially opened one floodgate at Tom Miller Dam along with opening flows along the lower Colorado River to mitigate overfill in light of ongoing rains.

"LCRA is closely monitoring the weather and inflows to the Highland Lakes, and is ready to open additional floodgates at dams along the lakes, if necessary," officials wrote on their website. "The basin is saturated, and rain is in the forecast through the weekend Conditions can change rapidly, and everyone should stay alert to local conditions and be ready to take action to stay safe."

For more information on current and projected conditions in the Highland Lakes and lower Colorado River, visit the Flood Operations Report.

Drivers are urged to check ATXFloods.com during heavy rainfall for a map denoting which crossings are passable and which are closed to traffic. As of 2 p.m. on Wednesday, more than 100 low-water crossings were rendered impassable after being closed off to traffic. Some of those crossings are outfitted with surveillance cameras affixed nearby, offering a portal into real-time conditions at the sites. In addition to visiting that website, motorists also should visit at DriveTexas.org for the latest road conditions.

.Austin Energy officials ask residents to report any downed power lines that may result from Wednesday's rain.

For their part, Austin police pleaded with motorists not to ignore warnings related to driving across high water on city roadways: