Flash Flood Watch Issued For Central, South Texas

AUSTIN, TX — As it relates to potential flooding, we're not out of the woods quite yet. A flash flood watch is in effect through Saturday evening for much of South Central Texas, weather officials said Thursday.

In issuing the advisory, the National Weather Service said the flash flood watch will be in effect from 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, through Saturday evening. This comes after two straight days of heavy rains that caused flooding in some areas after dumping between two to three inches of precipitation over much of the area.

The deluge already had occurred in Central Texas as of early Thursday afternoon. The National Weather Service secured reports of quarter-sized hail in Kerrville located 100 miles east of Austin:

Meteorologists suggested colder temperatures are feeding the next line of possible storms: "A cold front and a series of upper level disturbances combined with deep atmospheric moisture will produce periods of widespread showers and thunderstorms across much of South Central Texas from today through Saturday evening," officials wrote Thursday on their website. "Locally heavy rainfall will be possible."

Recent heavy rains throughout May, including in the past two days, exacerbate the likelihood of flooding given already-saturated earth that frustrates water disbursement, weather officials added: "The region is primed for flash flooding due to heavy rainfall over the past few days and weeks, with saturated soils and swollen creeks, streams, rivers, and reservoirs."

The flash flood watch covers a wide swath of Central and South Texas, including the following counties: Travis, Williamson, Atascosa, Bandera, Bastrop, Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, De Witt, Fayette, Gillespie, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Hays, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Lavaca, Lee, Llano, Medina and Wilson.

Rainfall amounts ranging from 2 to 4 inches are possible for the Hill Country and the Interstate 35 corridor, including the Austin and San Antonio metro areas. The Coastal Plains region is expected to be especially hard hit east of the I-35 corridor with 4 to 6 inches of rainfall is possible for that area.

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation, weather officials explained. "You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued," officials added.

Drivers are urged to check ATXFloods.com during heavy rainfall for a map denoting which crossings are passable and which are closed to traffic. Just before 2 p.m., 116 low-water crossings in the region had already been closed to traffic. Motorists often mistakenly believe they can drive across, sometimes leading to tragic results. As a result, the mantra "Turn Around, Don't Drown" has acquired greater currency transcending mere public service slogan status.

The recent rains already have taken human life. On Wednesday, Austin-Travis County EMS medics set off on what they had hoped would be a water rescue, only to spot the lifeless body of a man who was swept away in flood waters into Lady Bird Lake.

Before that, dramatic police body cam emerged showing officers' rescue of three stranded people inside a car stuck in high water. As a tethered officer reaches the final vehicle occupant in ensuring her safety, the car is seen sliding off a bridge along Old Bee Caves Road in South Austin. Austin medics have been scurrying to save people stuck in high water since the deluge began, executing some two dozen rescues in the past few days alone.

Some of the low-water crossings shown on the ATXFloods.com map are outfitted with surveillance cameras affixed nearby, offering a portal into real-time conditions at the sites. This is useful for motorists who may view the dangers of high water as mere abstractions, yielding a portal to remotely witness the impassable nature of such crossings amid heavy rain before venturing out.

In addition to visiting that website, motorists also should visit at DriveTexas.org for the latest road conditions.

Previous weather coverage:

Flooding Victim Found Dead At Lady Bird Lake: Austin EMS

Barton Creek Inches Closer To Flood Level

Austin Medics Dispatched For Water Rescue

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