Flooding In Austin Area And Throughout Texas Causing Massive Problems

The Austin metro area was hit with heavy rains that started late Friday and continued into most of Saturday morning, part of a massive system that has caused flooding around Texas, derailed a freight train, stranded cars in swiftly flowing water and swept away at least one man, who remains missing.

Twenty inches fell in some parts of the state. Patricia rolled over Mexico late Friday and while it is no longer a category 5 hurricane, CNN Meteorologist Jennifer Gray said moisture from the tropical storm could feed into current conditions in the United States.

In Austin, new rainfall records were set covering roads with water that closed several crossings in the area and have led to difficult driving conditions. Floodgate operations were activated at Tom Miller Dam, releasing water from Lake Austin into Lady Bird Lake.

Flash flood warnings for Travis and Williamson Counties have been replaced with advisories. Rainfall ranged from 1-8 inches with the North Austin and Cedar Park areas recording the heaviest amounts of rainfall, according to the Lower Colorado River Authority. Austin’s Camp Mabry received 2.63 inches of rain beating the old daily rainfall record of 1.94 inches in 1949.

As of 7 a.m. Saturday, Cedar Park received over 7 inches of rain and roughly five inches fell in Leander and Round Rock. Jollyville, near North Austin received the most rain, with 9 inches being recorded. All areas in and around Austin received at least 5 inches of rain.

Austin Travis County EMS reported responding to two water rescues overnight, fortunately with no reported injuries. The LCRA said floodgate operations at Tom Miller Dam ended just after 10 a.m. Heavy flooding is apparent on the 360 Loop near Bull Creek Park.

The rest of the state dealt with similar conditions, if not worse, with reports of up to 20 inches of rain in Navarro County.

Overnight, a freight train derailed in Corsicana. Two workers on the train managed to stop the cars and then swam to higher ground, CNN reports. In San Antonio, a man trying to rescue his dog from a drainage ditch was swept away and is still missing.

Heavy rains are forecast for the greater Austin area for the rest of Saturday. Rains were forecast to ease up a bit on Sunday before they completely subside on Monday.

Several roads at low water crossings remain closed in the area and while the warning has expired, a flash flood watch remains in effect till Sunday morning. Officials remind residents that bad driving conditions still persist.

Image via LCRA